In a groundbreaking ruling, a federal judge declared that Google violated antitrust laws by monopolizing online searches and ads, marking the US Justice Department’s first triumph against a monopoly in over two decades.
With Google controlling roughly 90% of the internet search market and 95% on mobile devices, the court found the tech giant guilty of maintaining its dominance through lucrative deals totaling US$26.3 billion in 2021 to secure its position as the default search engine on smartphones and browsers.
This ruling sets the stage for a potential second trial to determine corrective actions, such as ending payments to smartphone manufacturers to set Google as the default search engine on new devices.
This decision signals a milestone in the legal battle against Big Tech monopolies, aligning with the Justice Department’s pursuit of fair competition in the digital realm.