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| Google loses massive antitrust case over search, will appeal ruling |
In a landmark decision, U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta ruled that Google illegally maintained a monopoly in online search, a verdict that could reshape the tech giant's operations and the internet landscape. The judge found that Google abused its dominant position by paying companies like Apple to make its search engine the default choice on devices and browsers. This practice, the court ruled, stifled competition by preventing rivals like Bing and DuckDuckGo from gaining a foothold.
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Google, which paid $26 billion in 2021 to secure its prime position, intends to appeal. Kent Walker, Google’s president of Global Affairs, defended the company, highlighting its search engine's quality and user trust. Despite this, the court found Google violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act, which prohibits monopolistic practices.
This case, which began in 2020 and culminated in a 10-week trial, is a significant victory for the Justice Department and could influence other antitrust lawsuits, including those against Apple and Meta. Remedies for Google's behaviour, which might include altering its business practices or divesting parts of its operations, are yet to be decided. The decision may also impact a separate case against Google concerning the digital ads market, set for arguments in September.
