This is the FTC's second antitrust run at the company. A
federal judge in June dismissed antitrust lawsuits brought against Facebook by
the agency and a broad coalition of state attorneys general that were among
multiplying efforts by federal and state regulators to rein in tech titans'
market power.
The FTC is seeking remedies that could include a forced
spinoff of Facebook's popular Instagram and WhatsApp messaging services, or a
restructuring of the company.
US District Judge James Boasberg, who in June ruled that the
FTC's original lawsuit was “legally insufficient” and didn't provide enough
evidence to prove that Facebook was a monopoly, said in Tuesday's ruling that
the first complaint “stumbled out of the starting blocks.”
But he added that, though the “core theory” of the lawsuit —
that Facebook is a monopoly engaging in anticompetitive behaviour — remains
unchanged, the facts alleged this time around are “far more robust and detailed
than before.”
Meta said in an emailed statement it is “confident the
evidence will reveal the fundamental weakness of the claims."
“Our investments in Instagram and WhatsApp transformed them
into what they are today,” the company said. "They have been good for
competition, and good for the people and businesses that choose to use our
products.”
Holly Vedova, director of the FTC's bureau of competition,
said the agency presented a "strong amended complaint a strong amended
complaint, and we look forward to trial.” -AP