Regulatory Landscape - EU's antitrust chief ruled out easing the bloc's tech rulebook [1] - US Commerce Secretary suggested Brussels needs to change its digital regulations [1] Trade Relations - The suggestion is linked to a potential deal to lower steel and aluminum tariffs [1]

Core Insights - A federal judge ruled in favor of Meta Platforms, Inc. against the FTC's antitrust charges, which claimed that Meta holds a monopoly in social networking [1] - The ruling is viewed positively for major tech companies like Amazon, which are also facing FTC scrutiny [2] - Meta's spokesperson emphasized the company's contributions to innovation and economic growth, indicating a commitment to continue investing in America [2] Company Overview - Meta Platforms, Inc. is a California-based company founded in 2004, focusing on products that enable sharing and connection across devices [3] - The company operates through two segments: Family of Apps and Reality Labs [3] Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Cantor Fitzgerald reduced its price target for Meta from $830 to $720 while maintaining an 'Overweight' rating [2] - Freedom Capital upgraded Meta's stock from 'Hold' to 'Buy' with a price target of $800 [2]

Core Insights - Concerns have been raised regarding potential antitrust issues related to the Stargate Project, a joint AI infrastructure initiative involving OpenAI, SoftBank Group, and Oracle, with support from Microsoft and Nvidia [1][2] Group 1: Antitrust Concerns - Madhavi Singh from Yale Law School argues that the collaboration among major AI companies could stifle competition, leading to reduced competition and higher prices [2] - Singh's analysis suggests that the Stargate Project may violate the Clayton and Sherman Acts, which are designed to prevent anti-competitive practices [3] - The project has received minimal scrutiny from regulators, raising concerns about potential monopolistic practices that could hinder innovation and consumer choice in the AI sector [4] Group 2: Stargate Project Overview - The Stargate Project is valued at $500 billion and aims to establish five new AI data centers in the U.S., with a $100 billion investment commitment from Nvidia [5] - OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has addressed rumors regarding government bailouts, asserting the company's independence from federal financial guarantees [5] - SoftBank has sold its entire stake in Nvidia to focus on its relationship with OpenAI, indicating a strategic shift in its investment approach [6]

Antitrust Concerns - The judge is concerned about the timeline for a forced sale of Google's advertising exchange [1] - The judge is concerned about identifying appropriate buyers for Google's advertising exchange [1]

Core Viewpoint - Alphabet's Google is making a final effort to prevent the breakup of its advertising technology business as the antitrust case led by the Department of Justice approaches its conclusion [1] Group 1 - The U.S. court hearing is scheduled for Friday, marking a critical moment in the antitrust proceedings against Google [1] - The Department of Justice has been pursuing this case to address concerns over Google's dominance in the advertising technology sector [1]

Core Viewpoint - Nine states have reached a $7 million settlement with Greystar over allegations of using shared rent-setting algorithms to inflate rental prices [1][2] Group 1: Settlement Details - The settlement amount is $7 million, which Greystar will pay to the participating states if approved by the federal district court [2] - Greystar will implement strict new limits on its use of rent-setting algorithms and data-sharing platforms as part of the settlement [2] - An antitrust compliance officer must be identified by Greystar within 30 days of the consent judgment [2] Group 2: Participating States and Legal Background - The states involved in the settlement are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, and Tennessee [3] - The settlement stems from a lawsuit filed in January 2025 by the U.S. Justice Department and attorneys general from 10 states against data and software firm RealPage [4] Group 3: Prohibited Actions - Greystar is prohibited from licensing or using any revenue management product that utilizes external non-public data to generate rental prices [6] - The company cannot use any revenue management system that incorporates a rental price floor or limits on rental price recommendation decreases, with specific exclusions [6] - Greystar is also barred from disclosing non-public data to other property managers or owners for setting rental prices [6]

Its monopoly case loses after five years of fierce online competition. ...

Meta has secured a major legal victory after a US federal judge dismissed the Federal Trade Commission's high-profile antitrust case, ending a years-long effort by regulators to unwind the company's a... ...

Core Viewpoint - Meta has successfully won its antitrust case against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which claimed that Meta held an illegal monopoly in social networking through its acquisitions of WhatsApp and Instagram [1][2]. Summary by Sections Antitrust Case Outcome - The US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the FTC failed to prove its claims against Meta, allowing the company to continue operating WhatsApp and Instagram without any restrictions [1][3]. - Judge James Boasberg emphasized that the FTC must demonstrate that Meta currently holds monopoly power, not just in the past [2]. Background of the Case - The FTC's initial complaint was dismissed in 2021 due to insufficient evidence regarding Meta's market power in social networking [2]. - After the FTC amended its filing with additional data on Meta's user numbers and acquisitions, the case proceeded in 2022, culminating in a trial that began in April [3]. Testimonies and Arguments - Key testimonies included Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who argued against the FTC's claims by referencing his 2008 statement that "it is better to buy than compete" [3]. - The outcome of the case means that Meta avoids the potential requirement to separate WhatsApp and Instagram into independent companies [3]. Reactions to the Verdict - Meta released a statement highlighting the decision as recognition of the fierce competition it faces in the social networking industry and reaffirming its commitment to innovation and economic growth [4]. - The FTC expressed disappointment with the ruling, indicating a potential review of their options moving forward [5]. Industry Context - The ruling comes amid other antitrust actions in the tech industry, including a recent settlement involving Google, which was mandated to share limited search and user-interaction data with competitors [6].

Core Insights - The U.S. antitrust enforcement is intensifying against major tech companies, including Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia, focusing on their market dominance and competitive practices [1][2]. Alphabet (Google) - Google is currently involved in two significant antitrust cases, one requiring it to share search data with competitors and another regarding its online advertising technology [3][5]. - A judge ruled that Google must share data to enhance competition in online search and cannot enter exclusive agreements with device makers [3][4]. - Google is appealing the ruling, which may delay compliance, while it has already begun to adjust its agreements with device manufacturers and carriers [4][6]. Meta Platforms - Meta is facing an antitrust trial initiated by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) aimed at reversing its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, with evidence suggesting strategic purchases to eliminate competition [7]. - The judge overseeing the case is not expected to make a ruling until late 2025 [8]. Amazon - Amazon is under scrutiny from the FTC and state enforcers for allegedly using anti-competitive tactics to maintain its dominance in online retail [9]. - The FTC claims that Amazon's pricing algorithm has led to increased costs for U.S. households by over $1 billion, although Amazon asserts that the algorithm was discontinued in 2019 [10]. - A trial regarding these allegations is scheduled for February 2027 [10]. Apple - Apple is being sued by the Justice Department and a coalition of states for restricting competition by limiting app and device makers, which keeps iPhone users within its ecosystem [11]. - Apple's motion to dismiss the case was rejected, with information exchange deadlines extending into early 2027, and no trial date set yet [11]. Microsoft - The FTC has opened a probe into Microsoft for potentially abusing its market power in productivity software, but no formal case has been filed yet [12]. Nvidia - The Justice Department is investigating Nvidia, a leading semiconductor company, particularly in relation to its role in powering artificial intelligence applications, but no lawsuit has been initiated [13].