Google has been found guilty of illegally maintaining an online search monopoly by a US court, marking a significant ruling against the tech giant’s market dominance. The US Justice Department and states successfully sued Google in federal court, arguing that the company paid smartphone makers billions to ensure Google was the default search engine on browsers and devices, creating anti-competitive barriers for other search engines.
Regulators in the US have been working to limit the power of tech giants like Google, Apple, Amazon, and Meta through cases brought by the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission. The focus was on Google’s exclusive search agreements on popular devices like Android, iPhones, and iPads, with the government claiming that Google conducted nearly 90% of web searches, a figure disputed by Google.
The case also highlighted Google’s advertising practices, with the department and states alleging that the company’s ads generated significant revenue and created a monopoly within search results. They argued that the prices of ads were artificially inflated, demonstrating Google’s market power.
Google defended its practices by stating that it had created a superior service for consumers, which led to its popularity and success. The company maintained that it was “winning because it’s better,” emphasizing its commitment to providing quality services to users.
Despite the ruling, Judge Amit Mehta did not outline a specific remedy for Google’s actions. He may choose to order Google to divest part of its business or change its operational practices to address the monopoly concerns. Mehta described Google as a monopolist that had acted to maintain its dominance in the online search market.
Google now has the opportunity to appeal the court’s decision, potentially leading to further legal proceedings in the future. The case represents a significant development in the ongoing efforts to regulate and oversee the activities of major tech companies in the United States.