Meta litigation
Twenty-nine U.S. states publicly backed the Federal Trade Commission's appeal to reinstate its antitrust case against Meta on June 2, 2026, supporting the FTC's challenge to a November 2025 ruling that favored Meta. As of June 2, 2026: The FTC is appealing a U.S. District Court ruling that found Meta did not currently hold a social networking monopoly, with 29 states and the District of Columbia supporting the appeal. This comes as Meta faces multiple lawsuits, including a $375 million penalty from a New Mexico jury for misleading consumers and new allegations from the FTC and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton regarding WhatsApp's encryption claims. Meta denies these claims, asserting WhatsApp uses the Signal protocol for end-to-end encryption.
Timeline
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June 2026 — 2 developments
29 States Support FTC Appeal to Reinstate Antitrust Case Against Meta
Twenty-nine U.S. states have publicly backed the Federal Trade Commission's appeal to reinstate its antitrust case against Meta. This action supports the FTC's challenge to a November 2025 ruling that favored Meta, with the FTC arguing that past conduct should be prioritized over current market competition.
FTC Sues Meta Over WhatsApp Encryption Claims
The FTC sued Meta on May 21, 2026, alleging that the company falsely promised WhatsApp encryption and stored messages unencrypted, allowing access to private content. This lawsuit follows a similar federal class-action lawsuit filed in March 2026. Meta denies these claims, asserting WhatsApp uses the Signal protocol for end-to-end encryption.
May 2026 — 3 developments
28 US States Support FTC's Antitrust Appeal Against Meta
The FTC's appeal against a lower court's decision favoring Meta in an antitrust case concerning acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp has gained support from 28 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. The FTC argues Meta illegally maintained a monopoly in personal social networking.
Texas AG Sues Meta Over WhatsApp Encryption Claims
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 Sues Meta Over Scam Advertisements on 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 faces $375M penalty for platform safety failures and renewed antitrust lawsuit
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
ITIF criticizes FTC's appeal of Meta antitrust ruling as waste of taxpayer money
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.
FTC to appeal ruling favoring Meta in antitrust case
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
Judge Boasberg rules in favor of Meta, dismissing FTC's monopoly claims
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
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies as historic antitrust trial begins
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
Judge Boasberg sets April 2025 trial date for FTC's antitrust lawsuit against Meta
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg set the trial date for the FTC's antitrust lawsuit against Meta for April 14, 2025.
Federal Judge Denies Meta's Motion to Dismiss FTC Antitrust Lawsuit
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
Meta's motion to dismiss refiled lawsuit fails, case proceeds to discovery
The case survived Meta's motion to dismiss the refiled lawsuit, allowing the proceedings to continue to discovery.
August 2021 — 1 developments
FTC Files Amended Complaint Against Meta, Strengthening Monopoly Allegations
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
U.S. District Court judge dismisses FTC complaint, grants one month to amend
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
FTC and 46 States Sue Facebook Over Alleged Illegal Monopoly
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).