A federal judge has handed a major legal triumph to Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META), the parent company of Facebook, officially rejecting government accusations that the tech giant maintains an illegal monopoly on personal social networking.

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The ruling, delivered Tuesday, brings a decisive end to a seven-month trial where regulators sought to unwind the corporation's past deals for WhatsApp and Instagram. 

Broad Competition, No Monopoly 

Judge James Boasberg grounded his decision largely on the drastic evolution of the online landscape, according to CNBC.  

He highlighted that video-centric platforms, specifically YouTube and TikTok, now serve as direct substitutes for services provided by the defendant. Because consumers are shifting their time toward these competitors, the court found that the social media giant is compelled to spend heavily just to remain relevant.

"While each ...