Google Faces Negative Verdict On Antitrust Case: Here’s What The Case Was About

As the popular tech giant faces a negative verdict after 10 weeks of trial, did you know this about the Google Antitrust Case? In a landmark ruling, US District Judge Amit Mehta determined that Google’s dominance in the search market stems from illegal monopolistic practices. Google faces the wrath of US District Court in Antitrust Case.

The judge concluded that Google’s default search agreements with device manufacturers and browsers have significantly suppressed competition. This decision highlights how these agreements have played a major role in solidifying Google’s market power, impacting the broader search industry.

Did you know this about the antitrust case?

Following a 10-week trial, US District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google’s market dominance results from illegal monopolistic practices. This decision is a significant win for the US Justice Department, which filed the lawsuit nearly four years ago. 

Google plans to appeal, with the core allegation being that it used billions in exclusive deals to maintain its search engine dominance, violating antitrust laws. The FTC and DOJ enforce these laws, with Google’s search-based advertising generating $175 billion in 2022.

In the United States, key laws include the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, which prohibits monopolies and actions that restrain trade, and the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, which addresses specific unfair practices. The Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 established the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate and prevent unfair

Google faces the Court’s wrath: What does the Judgement say?

The DOJ contended that Google’s deals with wireless carriers, browser developers, and device makers, particularly Apple, were anti-competitive. In 2021, Google paid over $26 billion to ensure its search engine was the default on iPhones and browsers like Safari and Mozilla. 

Google, claiming its dominance stems from its search engine’s quality, plans to appeal the decision, arguing that it unfairly limits their ability to offer their service widely.

The trial, lasting several months and featuring testimonies from Google CEO Sundar Pichai and other top executives, culminated in Judge Amit Mehta’s 277-page ruling. 

Mehta labeled Google a “monopolist,” noting its dominant 89.2% market share for general search services, rising to 94.9% on mobile devices. While he found that Google violated antitrust laws, he concluded that these violations did not produce “anticompetitive effects.”

US Attorney General Merrick Garland called the decision an “historic win for the American people,” saying that no company is above the law.

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