A US federal judge has ruled that Google's actions to suppress competition and maintain its dominance in the online search market are unlawful. This landmark decision poses a major challenge to Alphabet, Google's parent company, and could lead to significant changes in how tech giants operate.
In 2020, the US Department of Justice sued Google over its control of approximately 90% of the online search market. The judge, Amit Mehta, found that Google has paid billions of dollars to ensure it is the default search engine on smartphones and web browsers, effectively shutting out potential competitors.
"Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly," Judge Mehta wrote in his 277-page opinion. The judge concluded that being the default search engine is "extremely valuable real estate" for Google, and new entrants would struggle to compete unless they were willing to pay Google's high revenue-sharing agreements with partners.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland hailed the ruling as a "historic win for the American people," emphasizing that no company is above the law. The Department of Justice's case is one of several antitrust lawsuits filed against major tech companies, as US authorities aim to foster greater competition in the industry.
Google plans to appeal the decision, but the ruling could lead to significant changes in the company's business practices. The US government has requested "structural relief," which could potentially involve the breakup of the company. Another case against Google's advertising technology is scheduled for trial in September, and the tech giant has also faced substantial fines in Europe for monopolistic behavior.
This decision marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to rein in the power of tech giants and promote a more competitive digital landscape.
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