US judge rejects Facebook’s request to drop the case alone | Technology News

Facebook should face charges in which the government alleges that the company misused its authority, the judge ruled.

Facebook Meta Platforms Inc. should face a lawsuit filed by the US government alleging that the company misused its authority and should be terminated, the judge ruled.

U.S. Regional Judge James Boasberg in Washington has rejected Facebook’s request to dismiss a petition filed by the Federal Trade Commission, which the agency withdrew after the judge dismissed the case in June. Boasberg said in his ruling that the FTC’s statement was “strong and detailed.”

“The FTC has now stated enough facts to confirm that Facebook has the sole authority,” the judge wrote. “The commission also noted that Facebook has not only become more powerful, but also deliberately retained that power through anti-competitive practices.”

The ruling is a victory for the FTC and its chairman, Lina Khan, who took the case after being elected to head the council by President Joe Biden. The FTC filed new complaints in August with new information to substantiate the agency’s claims that Facebook has market share in the US social media market and has the potential to eliminate competition. The lawsuit requires a court order to prevent Facebook from buying Instagram and WhatsApp.

The case is the US Federal Trade Commission v. Facebook Inc., 20-3590, US District Court for the District of Columbia.