Bloomberg Law Weekend Law: Meta, Blue State Bias & Privacy Risks
Apr 18, 2025
Harry First, an antitrust expert from NYU Law School, dives into the FTC's antitrust case against Meta, dissecting its problematic acquisitions. Nancy Gertner, a retired federal judge, explores how political dynamics affect blue states, particularly in response to federal funding disparities. Colin Walkie, a cybersecurity partner, sheds light on the privacy risks linked to companies like Weight Watchers and the inadequacies of current data policies. Together, they reveal the complex interplay between technology, law, and politics.
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Key Antitrust Issues for Meta
- Antitrust cases hinge on market definition, monopolistic power, and anti-competitive conduct by the firm.
- Facebook is accused of buying competitors like Instagram to stifle competition rather than innovate.
FTC and Meta Dispute Market Scope
- The FTC defines Facebook's market narrowly as personal social networking focused on friends and family.
- Meta argues the market is broader, including platforms like TikTok, creating a central legal dispute.
Instagram Deal Revealed As Anti-Competitive
- Zuckerberg’s email describing the Instagram acquisition as neutralizing a competitor is a smoking gun.
- Buying competitors to stifle threats is an anti-competitive practice, not innovation.