Meta Platforms(US:META) Feng Huang Wang·2026-01-20 23:30Core Viewpoint - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is appealing a federal judge's ruling that Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp do not violate antitrust laws, marking a significant setback for the FTC in its efforts to break up Meta [1][2]. Group 1: FTC's Position - The FTC argues that Meta violated antitrust laws during its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, highlighting the significant market power Meta held at the time of the lawsuit initiation in 2020 [2]. - A senior FTC official stated that the judge incorrectly assessed the current competitive landscape rather than the market conditions at the time the lawsuit was filed [1]. Group 2: Meta's Response - Meta's spokesperson asserted that the district court's dismissal of the FTC's arguments was correct, emphasizing that the company faces intense competition [2]. - Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has been actively engaging with the Trump administration and making significant adjustments to company policies, including changes related to hate speech regulations and diversity initiatives [2].