Meta requested a federal judge on Friday to dismiss the antitrust case brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against the social media company. They argued that the agency didn't prove that their purchases of Instagram and WhatsApp hurt consumers.
In a press release, Meta stated that the FTC has not provided a believable claim from the start and has not built its case through the discovery process.
The company added that the evidence demonstrates that they face strong competition from various platforms and that their acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, approved more than ten years ago, have actually been beneficial for consumers.
In 2020, the FTC sued Meta, claiming that the social media company unlawfully maintained a monopoly on personal social networking through its acquisition of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014.
In 2021, the case was initially dismissed after the judge found that the FTC did not provide enough evidence to support its assertion that Meta had monopoly power. However, the agency was able to submit a revised complaint.
Meta argued on Friday that the FTC has artificially limited the relevant market in the case to just four companies, while excluding other competitors.
Due to the market not being properly defined, the social media giant claimed that the FTC's assertion of Meta holding a dominant share is meaningless.
In the press release, Meta stated that the FTC has no evidence of monopoly power because such power does not exist.
They also argued that their significant investment in Instagram and WhatsApp has benefited consumers and transformed them into the services that millions of users currently enjoy for free.
The Hill has reached out to the FTC for comment.
