The Federal Trade Commission is appealing a November ruling that dismissed its case against Meta's alleged monopoly in personal social networking. The FTC argues Meta illegally maintained dominance by acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp, stifling competition.

This legal battle originated during Donald Trump's first term, when he accused Facebook of being "anti-Trump." Meta later donated to Trump's inauguration and paid him $25 million to settle suspension-related lawsuits, attempting to mend relations.

Despite Meta's efforts, the FTC remains firm. A spokesperson emphasized consumer harm from Meta's dominance. Meta denies wrongdoing, with its legal head calling the initial ruling correct and reiterating that the company faces fierce competition in social media.

Politics loom large. The judge who ruled for Meta, James Boasberg, faces Republican-backed impeachment efforts over unrelated censorship claims. The case tests whether antitrust enforcement can overcome judicial and political headwinds in Big Tech.