The Justice Department and 38 states and territories opened their antitrust case against Google on Tuesday, accusing the tech giant of illegally maintaining its dominance in online search.
The NY Times quoted Justice Department lawyer Kenneth Dintzer saying that Google had “unlawfully maintained its monopoly power” in search by paying billions of dollars to Apple and other device makers to make Google the default search engine on their products. He also said that Google had used its power to stifle competition from rivals like DuckDuckGo and Ecosia.
“Your honor, this is a monopolist flexing,” Mr. Dintzer said. “This is a monopolist using its power to maintain its monopoly.”
“This feedback loop, this wheel, has been turning for more than 12 years,” said Kenneth Dintzer, the Justice Department’s lead courtroom lawyer. “And it always turns to Google’s advantage.”
Google’s lawyers countered that the company had not violated antitrust laws and that its search engine was the best in the world. They also said that Google’s agreements with device makers were not anti-competitive and that they actually benefited consumers by giving them access to the best search engine.
The trial is expected to last several weeks. It is the first major antitrust trial against a tech giant in the United States in decades.
Trial impact on Google
The trial’s outcome could have a major impact on Google’s business. If Google is found guilty of violating antitrust laws, it could be forced to change its business practices or even be broken up.
The trial is being closely watched by other tech giants, such as Amazon and Facebook, who are also facing antitrust scrutiny. The trial’s outcome could set a precedent for how these companies are regulated.
The antitrust trial against Google began on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, in Courtroom 10 at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The trial is expected to last for several weeks.
The Justice Department is suing Google for illegally monopolizing the online search market. The government alleges that Google has used its market power to stifle competition and innovation. Google has denied the allegations.
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