Resolution 250550
Calling on the Federal government to maintain its antitrust litigation that would break up Meta’s social media monopoly.
Introduced by
From the floor
Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.
“Hi. My name is Brianna Cervantes and I'm giving comment on Bill 250550. This is Brooks' resolution, which is inexplicably linked to Bill 250273, Squilla's automated vehicle noise enforcement bill that was just tabled for today. For what purpose? I don't know. Maybe my email was convincing or maybe it's a strategy to keep me from speaking on it. I'm not here to convince you that the technology in Squilla's bill enshri…”
Ms. Cervantes · Stated Meeting, May 29, 2025 · May 29, 2025 · official transcript, this passage
“After Devryn Washington, we have Hannah Weinstein. May Hiruy Tirfe, Sister Taliyah Taylor, Paul Birdsong, Sierra Freeman and Kristen Wells also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.) MR. WASHINGTON? Hello. My name is Devryn Washington. I'm here on behalf of Philly Tech Justice Collective. I want to echo Free Palestine, but I'm also here in support of Resolution 250550, because I do believe that…”
Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, May 29, 2025 · May 29, 2025 · official transcript, this passage
“Hello. My name is Jordan Brittingham. I work for People's Tech Project, and I'm a member of the Philly Tech Council, Tech Justice Council. We work specifically on tech issues and we are here to support Councilmember Brooks' Resolution 250550 to break up Meta. Meta has become a monopoly over our personal data and become a key figure on spreading misinformation since dropping their fact checking at the assistance of th…”
Mr. Brittingham · Stated Meeting, May 29, 2025 · May 29, 2025 · official transcript, this passage
“The ayes have it and the motion carries and Resolution No. 250505 has been withdrawn. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 250550.”
Council President Johnson · Stated Meeting, May 29, 2025 · May 29, 2025 · official transcript, this passage
“The Chair recognizes Councilmember Majority Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 250550.”
Council President Johnson · Stated Meeting, May 29, 2025 · May 29, 2025 · official transcript, this passage
“It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 250550 be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)”
Council President Johnson · Stated Meeting, May 29, 2025 · May 29, 2025 · official transcript, this passage
Status timeline
- May 15, 2025Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar · CITY COUNCIL
- May 29, 2025ADOPTED · CITY COUNCIL
Official documents
Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.
Full text
Read the full text as published
..Title Calling on the Federal government to maintain its antitrust litigation that would break up Meta's social media monopoly. ..Body WHEREAS, The social media company Facebook purchased Instagram and WhatsApp in short order just over a decade ago, obtaining Instagram for $1 billion in 2012 and WhatsApp for $19 billion in 2014. In 2021, Facebook rebranded as Meta; and WHEREAS, Since its rebrand, the Meta corporation has maintained three of the top four social media platforms in terms of user quantity, with more than 7 billion monthly users across platforms - with Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp competing against YouTube and TikTok for top-five placement on the most-used social media platforms. No other social media platform, excepting China's WeChat, exceeds 1 billion monthly users; and WHEREAS, The United States Federal Trade Commission began antitrust litigation against Meta during the end of the Biden Administration. Breaking up the social media monopoly is critical to facilitating online innovation. Meta's purchase was part of a buy-or-bury strategy that saw it trying to strangle ascendant social media platforms, increasingly popular on the still-new smartphone market, or purchase the ones it could not kill; and WHEREAS, The consolidation of social media platforms has contributed to the ossification of online discussion forums. The reduced need to innovate, respond to emergent crises, and update online platforms to reflect evolving cultural dynamics have failed to address new problems in social media; and WHEREAS, The shifting online landscape includes an accelerating political polarization that has impacted election results from the local to the federal level. Bad actors have intervened in American elections and cultural moments, spreading misinformation with impunity through outdated and calcified online platforms and weakening our Democracy and governing institutions; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby calls on the Federal government to maintain its antitrust litigation that would break up Meta's social media monopoly. ..End