The Federal Trade Commission filed a notice of appeal Tuesday challenging a November 2025 district court ruling that favored Meta Platforms Inc. in the agency's monopolization case against the social media giant. The appeal will be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
The FTC's decision to appeal signals the agency's determination to continue its antitrust enforcement efforts against major technology companies under the Trump-Vance administration. The case represents one of the most significant federal antitrust actions targeting Big Tech's market dominance in recent years.
The monopolization case centers on allegations that Meta has illegally maintained its dominant position in personal social networking services for over a decade through anticompetitive conduct. Specifically, the FTC contends that Meta strategically acquired Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 to eliminate competitive threats rather than compete on the merits.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in favor of Meta in November 2025, dealing a setback to the FTC's efforts to break up the tech conglomerate. However, the agency maintains that robust evidence presented at trial demonstrated Meta's anticompetitive behavior and supports its monopolization claims.
FTC Bureau of Competition Director Daniel Guarnera emphasized the agency's commitment to continuing the case in a statement accompanying the appeal notice. "The U.S. economy thrives when competition can flourish and U.S. businesses compete fairly against one another," Guarnera said. "Yet Meta has maintained its dominant position and record profits for well over a decade not through legitimate competition, but by buying its most significant competitive threats."
The appeal represents a continuation of antitrust enforcement priorities that began under the previous administration but will now proceed under the Trump-Vance FTC. Guarnera specifically referenced the new administration's commitment to the case, stating that "The Trump-Vance FTC will continue fighting its historic case against Meta to ensure that competition can thrive across the country to the benefit of all Americans and U.S. businesses."
The FTC's original complaint alleged that Meta's acquisition strategy was designed to neutralize emerging competitive threats in the social media landscape. Instagram, acquired for $1 billion in 2012, was seen as a growing mobile photo-sharing platform that could challenge Facebook's dominance. WhatsApp, purchased for $19 billion in 2014, represented a significant messaging platform with global reach.
The agency argued that these acquisitions were part of a broader strategy to maintain Meta's monopoly position rather than legitimate business expansion. The FTC contended that without these acquisitions, both Instagram and WhatsApp could have developed into meaningful competitors to Facebook's core social networking services.
Meta has consistently defended its acquisitions as legitimate business decisions that benefited consumers by improving services and expanding global connectivity. The company has argued that the social media landscape remains competitive, with platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and others providing meaningful competition.
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which will hear the FTC's appeal, is considered one of the most influential federal appellate courts in the country, particularly for cases involving federal regulatory agencies. The court's eventual ruling could have significant implications for how antitrust law applies to technology company acquisitions.
The timing of the appeal coincides with broader discussions about antitrust enforcement and Big Tech regulation across both political parties. While approaches may differ, there appears to be bipartisan concern about the concentration of market power among major technology companies.
The case also represents a test of the FTC's ability to successfully challenge completed mergers years after their consummation. Traditionally, antitrust agencies have focused on blocking proposed mergers rather than seeking to unwind completed transactions, making this case particularly significant from a legal precedent standpoint.
Appellate proceedings typically take months to complete, with both sides expected to file detailed briefs outlining their legal arguments. The D.C. Circuit will then schedule oral arguments before issuing a written opinion that could affirm, reverse, or modify the district court's ruling.
Should the FTC prevail on appeal, the case would likely return to the district court for further proceedings to determine appropriate remedies. Potential outcomes could range from behavioral restrictions on Meta's business practices to more dramatic structural remedies, including potential divestiture of Instagram or WhatsApp.
The appeal ensures that the high-stakes battle between federal antitrust enforcers and one of the world's largest technology companies will continue into the new administration, with significant implications for the future of competition policy in the digital economy.