MeerKAT Detects Radio Signal from 31/ATLAS Reshapes Deep-Space Research – USA Herald
Competition Has Shifted, Court Says
A major hurdle for the FTC was proving that Meta is currently violating antitrust law. The judge emphasized that the social media ecosystem has undergone a dramatic transformation since the early 2010s.
Boasberg noted that video-driven platforms such as TikTok and YouTube draw massive user attention, challenging Meta in ways that undercut claims of monopoly.
“People treat TikTok and YouTube as substitutes for Facebook and Instagram, and the amount of competitive overlap is economically important,” Boasberg wrote.
He added that consumers have been “reallocating massive amounts of time from Meta’s apps” to these video-first platforms, pushing Meta to invest “gobs of cash to keep up.”
The court also highlighted market evidence showing that TikTok and YouTube consider Meta a significant competitor—reinforcing the idea that Meta is not insulated from market pressure.
Another Tech Giant Avoids Structural Penalties
The ruling arrives just two months after Google avoided a breakup in its own antitrust case. Although a judge found Google held an illegal monopoly in search, the company was allowed to keep its Chrome browser.
- Related coverage: Google stock jumps as judge rules it can keep Chrome in antitrust case
Meta Antitrust Trial Decision Redefines Future Antitrust Enforcement
The decision signals that regulators face significant challenges when targeting legacy acquisitions in rapidly evolving technology markets. Unless agencies can prove ongoing competitive harm—not just historical dominance—courts may remain skeptical of forced divestitures.
