In a landmark decision, a U.S. District Court judge has found that Google illegally used its market dominance to suppress competition. The case, which has significant implications for the tech industry, was initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) under then-President Donald Trump in 2020. Subsequently, the agency charged Google with abusing its monopoly in online search and advertising, leading to inflated prices for advertisers and limited options for consumers.
During the trial, DOJ attorneys argued that Google’s control over the search engine market allowed it to maintain high advertising prices. They also claimed that Google‘s financial position enabled the company to invest extensively in its search engine, further entrenching its dominance. Google countered these allegations by asserting that users have historically switched search engines if they were not satisfied with the results, citing Yahoo’s prior dominance in the 1990s.
After months of consideration, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google had violated antitrust laws. In his written opinion, Mehta described Google as a “monopolist” and asserted that the company acted in an anti-competitive manner.
The decision paves the way for a new legal phase in which the court will determine the penalties and changes required to mitigate Google‘s anti-competitive behavior. Potential outcomes range from significant measures, such as dismantling parts of its business, to more moderate actions aimed at promoting competition and consumer choice.
Google is expected to appeal the ruling, possibly taking the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
