Google and the U.S. Justice Department in dispute over search engine monopoly

Google is facing a high-stakes antitrust lawsuit in the United States, with Justice Department lawyers arguing that the tech giant spends over US$20 billion each year to maintain its monopoly status as an internet search engine. The lawsuit alleges that Google’s dominance is propped up by locking out competition through contracts with companies like Apple Inc. to make Google the default search engine on devices.

On the other hand, Google defends its position by stating that its success is a result of its excellence in delivering search results that customers are looking for. The case, which is the biggest antitrust trial in over two decades, has focused on the impact of Google’s contracts with other companies and its ability to block competitors from gaining traction.

During the closing arguments, the U.S. government, a coalition of states, and Google presented their cases to U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta. The trial highlighted the importance of competition in the search engine market and the implications of Google’s monopoly on ad revenue and consumer prices.

Google’s lawyer emphasized that the company faces intense competition in various search categories, such as product searches on Amazon and travel searches on AirBnB. The company also highlighted the evolving nature of the internet and the changing preferences of tech consumers.

The judge is yet to make a ruling on the case, with expectations that it may take several months. If Google is found to have violated antitrust laws, a remedies phase will follow to determine actions to promote competition in the search-engine market. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for Google’s business practices and the future of competition in the tech industry.