The Chris Cassidy Archivesgreat Facebook breakup, it seems, is not to be. At least not yet.
It was only in late December that the Federal Trade Commission alleged in a lawsuit that Facebook was a monopoly and that it deserved to be broken up into its constituent parts of Instagram and WhatsApp. The complaint, backed by attorneys general from 48 states, was dismissed Monday by a federal court.
At the heart of the court's decision Monday is the argument that the FTC failed to conclusively make its case.
"The FTC has failed to plead enough facts to plausibly establish a necessary element of all of its Section 2 claims — namely, that Facebook has monopoly power in the market for Personal Social Networking (PSN) Services," reads the decision.
Monday's ruling effectively lets Facebook off the hook for what the FTC called "illegally maintaining its personal social networking monopoly through a years-long course of anticompetitive conduct."
Sarah Miller, the executive director of the American Economic Liberties Project, a nonprofit anti-monopoly lobbying group, argued that the FTC and the attorneys general need to step up their respective games in light of Monday's decision.
"The coalition of state attorneys general should appeal today's decision and the Federal Trade Commission should quickly submit an amended complaint," she wrote in a statement to the press.
We reached out to Facebook for comment on Monday's decision, and in response the company made it clear it's delighted by the news.
"We are pleased that today's decisions recognize the defects in the government complaints filed against Facebook," responded a Facebook spokesperson in a prepared statement.
SEE ALSO: How to check if hackers are sharing your Facebook data
Which, of course Facebook is pleased. One substantial but ultimately insignificant fine notwithstanding, Facebook has a long history of avoiding real consequences for its many missteps — be they accidental or otherwise.
While Monday's decision continues Facebook's long winning streak — and everyone else's losing one — all hope is not lost.
The court notably dismissed the specific complaint, not the case itself. In other words, the FTC can plead its case again. Hopefully it does so, and next time comes better prepared.
Topics Facebook Social Media
Wombat butt biting sex habits could be helpful for its survival
Dubai's autonomous flying taxi takes off for its first test flight
This app will automatically invest your spare change in cryptocurrency
Amazon's Fire TV bundles massively undercut the Apple TV 4K
Q&A with tendercare founder and CEO Shauna Sweeney
A mug of Oreo
The Duffers insist we call it 'Stranger Things 2' like it's a movie sequel
Why Zendaya wants to close the digital divide in classrooms across America
Whale Vomit Episode 5: Startup Monarchy
Twitter is testing a 280
The State of 5G: When It's Coming, How Fast It Will Be & The Sci
Twitter can keep its extra characters, I want to edit tweets
We know what Ataribox will cost now, but the numbers don't add up
Here's what people actually say when they block you on a dating app
U.N. aims to make carbon emissions cost money at COP 25 climate talks
Here's how to give yourself 280 characters on Twitter right now
A mug of Oreo
Amazon's Fire TV bundles massively undercut the Apple TV 4K
NYT Strands hints, answers for May 2
Everything you need to know about the cartoon villain who is Roy Moore
Dog desperately trying to catch ball gets the Photoshop battle he deservesHow Star Wars characters drink their coffee, according to a fanfiction writerJames Comey found out about his firing just like you did'Avengers: Endgame' directors mark anniversary with fun behindAirbnb introduces new cleaning standards and 24Everything coming to (and going from) HBO Now in May 2020'Parks and Recreation' announces socially distanced reunion specialYouTube launches fact check panels in the U.S.Jinx, buy me a Coke: Unpacking one of Jim and Pam's greatest 'Office' episodesTwitter quietly deletes millions of accounts from the old text message daysGymder is a weird app that'll help you find a 'workout buddy'Risqué 'Wheel of Fortune' puzzle is not what it seemsStill can’t get the IRS site working to check the status of your stimulus check? Try this.Streaming films are eligible for next year's Academy Awards — but there's a catchThat Wendy's chicken nugget teen just beat Ellen's Twitter recordLG Velvet specs revealed: 48North West turned time out into spa, because she is a KardashianIvanka Trump is not your friend and she's not coming to save youJinx, buy me a Coke: Unpacking one of Jim and Pam's greatest 'Office' episodesZoom hackers are spoofing HR meeting invites to steal user login info 9 outer space movies streaming in honor of the Apollo 11 Moon landing Google Maps makes life easier for people who want to ride bikes (but don't own one) Flamethrower attachments for drones now a reality New guidelines aim to stop kids' peanut allergies before they start Instagram policy change means it can delete rule Everything coming to (and going from) Hulu in August 2019 'Years and Years' is the new show all 'Black Mirror' fans need to watch Commuter nearly pushed into subway tracks by water rushing into flooded station 'Stranger Things' producer discusses wild Winona Ryder theory Data's arrival in the 'Picard' trailer prompted lots of fan theories Tesla's new safety report paints Autopilot in a good light, but it's not that simple Venomous snake casually dangles from girl's bedroom nightlight Could 2017 be the year people take universal basic income seriously? Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill break up and now the queen has more time to conquer Infamous 'CU in the NT' campaign gets tourism kudos despite obscenity ruling A heat wave will roast America this weekend What you need to know about viral FaceApp's privacy policy China slams Trump's 'obsession with Twitter diplomacy' Best of San Diego Comic Twitter responds to Ed Sheeran's new music with a glorious meme fest
2.1996s , 10109.4375 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Chris Cassidy Archives】,Creation Information Network