Meta is currently defending itself against antitrust claims by the FTC, arguing it is not a monopoly, in a highly publicized legal case that could result in the company being broken up.
As part of its defense, Meta is using Apple’s Messages app, also known as iMessage, as evidence that it is not a monopoly in the messaging space. Meta’s argument hinges on the popularity of iMessage on iOS devices, suggesting that it faces significant competition from Apple’s built-in messaging app.
Meta’s opening statement slides, which are available in full, compare the weekly device usage of Apple’s Messages app to Meta’s competing offerings on iOS. This comparison is made to refute the FTC’s apparent perspective that standard “Messaging” is different from “Personal Social Networking.” By highlighting the usage statistics of iMessage, Meta aims to demonstrate that it operates in a competitive landscape.
A quote from Ronak Shah, Apple’s Director of Product Marketing, is used to describe the core use case of iMessage, stating that it is “to allow users to communicate with the people that are in their life that they know.” This reinforces Meta’s argument that its services, including WhatsApp and other messaging platforms, serve a similar purpose and are thus part of the same competitive market as iMessage.
In addition to citing Apple’s Messages app, Meta also points to other major competitors in the social media and messaging space, including TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat, as further evidence that it does not hold a monopoly. By broadening the definition of its competitive landscape, Meta seeks to demonstrate that it is one of many players in the personal social networking and messaging sectors.
The legal case against Meta is of significant interest, given the potential consequences of the FTC’s actions, which could include breaking up the company. Meta’s defense strategy, which includes highlighting the competitive pressure from other major tech companies, is a key aspect of its efforts to avoid this outcome.
