In a landmark decision, a US court has ruled that Google unlawfully maintained a monopoly in online search, marking a significant blow to the tech giant’s market dominance.
The court’s ruling came as a result of a lawsuit filed by the US Justice Department and a coalition of 38 states and territories, including Colorado and Nebraska. The plaintiffs argued that Google used its substantial financial resources to secure exclusive agreements with smartphone manufacturers, paying billions to ensure that Google was the default search engine on browsers and devices. This practice, they contended, created significant barriers to entry for potential competitors and entrenched Google’s dominant position in the market.
Regulators have been increasingly scrutinizing tech giants such as Google, Apple, Amazon, and Meta, aiming to curb their market power through legal actions led by both the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The case focused particularly on Google’s exclusive search agreements for Android devices, as well as iPhones and iPads. The Justice Department claimed that Google conducted nearly 90% of web searches, a figure the company disputed. Additionally, the case highlighted concerns about Google’s ad pricing, arguing that its monopoly on search results inflated ad costs beyond what would be expected in a competitive market.
The ruling underscores ongoing efforts by US regulators to address the market dominance of major tech firms and promote fair competition.
