Meta litigation
Meta is facing multiple legal challenges as of May 2026, including a $375 million penalty from a New Mexico jury on April 1, 2026, for misleading consumers and failing to prevent child exploitation, which Meta plans to appeal. Santa Clara County, California, sued Meta on May 21, 2026, alleging the company profits from scam advertisements, while Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit in May 2026 claiming WhatsApp and Meta deceive users about encrypted messages. These actions follow the Federal Trade Commission's announcement on January 20, 2026, to appeal a November 18, 2025, U.S. District Court ruling that favored Meta in an antitrust lawsuit, which had concluded the FTC failed to prove Meta's monopoly power.
Timeline
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May 2026 — 2 developments
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit in May 2026 alleging that WhatsApp and Meta deceive users about their ability to view encrypted messages.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit in May 2026 alleging that WhatsApp and Meta deceive users about their ability to view encrypted messages. Meta has denied these claims, asserting that WhatsApp cannot access encrypted communications.
Santa Clara County, California, has sued Meta, alleging the company profits from scam advertisements on its platforms.
Santa Clara County, California, has sued Meta, alleging the company profits from scam advertisements on its platforms. This lawsuit is in addition to the FTC's intention to appeal a U.S. District Court ruling that favored Meta in an antitrust lawsuit.
April 2026 — 1 developments
Meta was found liable by a New Mexico jury for misleading consumers about platform safety and failin…
Meta was found liable by a New Mexico jury for misleading consumers about platform safety and failing to prevent child exploitation, resulting in a $375 million penalty that Meta plans to appeal. Additionally, a U.S. federal judge has allowed a renewed antitrust lawsuit from Phhhoto to proceed, alleging Meta illegally maintained a monopoly.
January 2026 — 2 developments
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) criticized the Federal Trade Commission'…
The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) criticized the Federal Trade Commission's decision to appeal the Meta antitrust ruling, calling it a waste of taxpayer money and arguing the FTC's initial case failed to prove Meta's monopoly power.
The Federal Trade Commission announced it will appeal the November 2025 ruling that favored Meta in …
The Federal Trade Commission announced it will appeal the November 2025 ruling that favored Meta in the antitrust case, maintaining its allegation that Meta illegally sustained a social networking monopoly.
November 2025 — 1 developments
U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg ruled in favor of Meta, concluding that the FTC failed to d…
U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg ruled in favor of Meta, concluding that the FTC failed to demonstrate that the company currently holds a monopoly in social networking, regardless of whether it held such power in the past. This ruling effectively ended the threat of a forced breakup of Instagram and WhatsApp.
April 2025 — 1 developments
The historic antitrust trial began, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifying during the first days of the proceedings.
The historic antitrust trial began, with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifying during the first days of the proceedings. The trial was expected to last several weeks.
November 2024 — 2 developments
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg set the trial date for the FTC's antitrust lawsuit against Meta f…
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg set the trial date for the FTC's antitrust lawsuit against Meta for April 14, 2025.
A federal judge denied Meta's motion to dismiss the antitrust lawsuit, ruling that the company must …
A federal judge denied Meta's motion to dismiss the antitrust lawsuit, ruling that the company must face a trial regarding the FTC's allegations concerning its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
January 2022 — 1 developments
The case survived Meta's motion to dismiss the refiled lawsuit, allowing the proceedings to continue to discovery.
The case survived Meta's motion to dismiss the refiled lawsuit, allowing the proceedings to continue to discovery.
August 2021 — 1 developments
The FTC filed an amended complaint against Meta, strengthening its allegations and providing more detailed arguments regarding Meta's alleged monopoly.
The FTC filed an amended complaint against Meta, strengthening its allegations and providing more detailed arguments regarding Meta's alleged monopoly.
June 2021 — 1 developments
A U.S. District Court judge dismissed the FTC's initial complaint, stating that the agency did not p…
A U.S. District Court judge dismissed the FTC's initial complaint, stating that the agency did not provide sufficient market definition for its monopoly claims. The court granted the FTC one month to file an amended complaint.
December 2020 — 1 developments
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), along with 46 U.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), along with 46 U.S. states, filed an antitrust lawsuit against Facebook (now Meta Platforms), alleging that the company illegally maintained its monopoly through anti-competitive acquisitions of Instagram (2012) and WhatsApp (2014).