US FTC Appeals Ruling on Meta and Its Dominant Position

Published on January 21, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Meta (Facebook) logo with a superimposed justice scale symbol, representing the antitrust legal litigation.

U.S. FTC Appeals Ruling on Meta and Its Dominant Position

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of the United States has decided to appeal the resolution of federal judge James Boasberg. This magistrate determined that the authorities failed to prove that Meta Platforms maintains an illegal monopoly in the social media sector. The agency maintains that the evidence presented at the trial does support its initial accusation. ⚖️

The Antitrust Litigation Continues to Advance

The legal action against Meta, formerly known as Facebook, began under the Trump administration and persisted with the Biden administration. The FTC argues that the company acted to eliminate its rivals, highlighting the acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. After dismissing the first lawsuit in 2021, Judge Boasberg allowed the agency to reframe it with new arguments. His ruling from last November represented a setback for initiatives seeking to limit monopolies.

Key Points of the Legal Conflict:
  • The FTC alleges that Meta suppressed competition by acquiring rival platforms.
  • The federal judge required the agency to present stronger grounds for its lawsuit.
  • The judicial process has spanned several presidential administrations.
This case represents a crucial examination for applying antitrust rules to large-scale technology corporations.

Far-Reaching Consequences

The outcome of this litigation is considered a fundamental test for regulating power in the digital industry. If the FTC ultimately wins, it could force Meta to sell Instagram and WhatsApp. The appeal will now move the matter to a higher-level court, prolonging a battle that defines how market concentration is controlled in the technology sector. Meta has consistently rejected the accusations of exercising a monopoly.

Possible Outcomes of the Case:
  • It could force Meta to divest in acquired applications.
  • It would establish a precedent for future actions against other big tech companies.
  • It would prolong regulatory uncertainty for the company.

A Digital Landscape in the Balance

While legal teams prepare their arguments and documentation, millions of users interact daily with Meta's platforms, largely unaware of the judicial dispute that could completely reconfigure the social media ecosystem they use. The legal battle continues, and its outcome will mark the future of online competition. 🔍