Monopoly Busters Caucus Chairs Call Meta Monopoly Decision ‘Dead Wrong and Dangerous’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Monopoly Busters Caucus Chairs, U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Pat Ryan (NY-18), and Angie Craig (MN-02), released the following statement concerning Judge James Boasberg’s ruling against the Federal Trade Commission in its challenge to Meta’s social media monopoly:

“Today’s ruling letting Meta off the hook is dead wrong and dangerous. It’s a judicial rubber stamp for unchecked monopoly power. Meta didn’t succeed by building the best social media network, it bought or buried every serious rival and then exploited its monopoly without accountability.

“The results speak for themselves. Repeated privacy disasters. The theft of millions of people’s data for political manipulation. Algorithms that worsen teenage mental health and amplify hate. Constant ads served based on surveillance of people’s lives and friendships. Terrible for America but very profitable for Meta.

“Real competition isn’t just another app on your phone. It’s the freedom to delete without getting shut out of the conversation. This decision proves our antitrust laws are stuck in a pre-internet age. An appeal is the bare minimum. We need to modernize the law before a single company controls both today’s conversations and tomorrow’s minds.”

Issues: Science, Technology, & Antitrust