Meta points to Apple messaging dominance in ongoing antitrust battle

As Meta continues its years-long legal battle with the Federal Trade Commission, the company is leaning on a surprising defense—Apple's grip on messaging. In a newly unveiled courtroom presentation, Meta argued that it can't be labeled a monopolist in social communication, citing usage data that places Apple’s iMessage far ahead of Meta-owned apps like Messenger and Instagram.

The dispute, which began in 2020, accuses Meta of anti-competitive behavior and seeks to break up parts of the company. After an initial dismissal in 2021, the FTC refiled a strengthened complaint the following year. Now, the case is gaining attention again after Meta’s opening statement this week included a set of presentation slides, some of which were redacted—albeit poorly. As reported by The Verge, the redactions were easily removed, unintentionally exposing internal insights and confidential comparisons.

One slide shows iMessage leading with a staggering 88% weekly usage, followed by Instagram at 48%, Facebook Messenger at 37%, and WhatsApp just under 37%. Snapchat trailed at 23%. The chart appears to include references to internal Apple documents, including a quote from Apple’s Director of Product Marketing describing iMessage as a way for users to stay connected with people they “know,” underscoring its role as a deeply embedded default on iOS devices.

Meta’s broader argument hinges on the idea that it operates in a highly competitive space. The company pointed to TikTok and YouTube as dominant players in content and attention, and it claims that these platforms, along with Apple's software, show that consumers have plenty of alternatives.

While Meta’s use of Apple’s strength in messaging is a tactical pivot, it’s not clear how persuasive the argument will be. The case remains ongoing, and legal experts say a final ruling could still be years away. However, the revelations in court this week have reignited public scrutiny of both Meta's market power and Apple's influence over user behavior.