Tech Policy Podcast 424: Meta Beats the Antitrust Regulators
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Nov 20, 2025 Geoff Manne, a legal and economic scholar, joins to dissect Judge Boasberg's recent ruling on the FTC's antitrust case against Meta. They humorously navigate the absurdities of antitrust arguments, highlighting how user demand shapes market definitions. Geoff explains that increased ads can indicate better targeting rather than monopolistic practices. They critique the FTC's market definitions and explore why including competitors like TikTok and YouTube undermines claims of Meta's monopoly. The conversation mixes legal analysis with sharp insights into modern tech markets.
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Court Overrules Political Antitrust Push
- Judge Boasberg's 89-page ruling dismissed the FTC's Section 2 case against Meta as legally and factually weak.
- The hosts argue antitrust must be grounded in doctrine and evidence, not political goals or vibes.
Antitrust Is Forward-Looking, Not Punitive
- The ruling highlights tension between neo-Brandeisian aims and traditional antitrust's forward-looking remediation.
- Corbin and Geoff stress antitrust should correct market harms now, not punish companies for ideological reasons.
Profits Are Not Proof Of Monopoly
- High profits alone are a poor indicator of monopoly power and can reflect efficiency or booming demand.
- Geoff cites Judge Posner and economic theory to reject inferring monopoly from returns.