The Department of Justice has accused Google of leveraging its dominance in the internet search market to stifle competition and hinder innovation. The trial, the largest US antitrust case in 25 years, is set to span 10 weeks.
The government argues that Google unfairly favored its search engine by making it the default choice across various platforms and devices. A ruling isn’t expected until early next year, and if Google is found guilty, a subsequent trial will determine corrective actions.
Key figures from Google, Alphabet, and other major tech companies are anticipated to testify, including Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and Apple executive Eddy Cue. The case, initiated nearly three years ago, alleges that Google used its search dominance to gain an unfair advantage. The government contends that Google engages in payola, paying billions annually to secure default search status on devices like the iPhone.
Additionally, regulators assert that Google unlawfully bundles its search engine with Android software. Google maintains that it faces substantial competition, citing rivals like Microsoft’s Bing, Amazon, and Yelp.
The trial comes 25 years after the initial investment in Google, which has since grown into a trillion-dollar entity under Alphabet, generating most revenue from advertising. The case parallels the antitrust action taken against Microsoft in 1998, accusing the company of bundling Internet Explorer with its Windows operating system, ultimately overshadowing competitors like Netscape.
The trial outcome could potentially lead to measures limiting Google’s influence, such as ending payments for default search status on devices, or it may divert the company’s focus, as seen with Microsoft following its antitrust case.
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