U.S. judge rules Google holds illegal monopoly on search
On Monday, a U.S. judge determined that Google breached an antitrust law by investing billions of dollars to establish an illegal monopoly and dominate the global search engine market. This decision marks a significant victory for federal authorities challenging the market dominance of Big Tech.
TroibNews 
A U.S. judge determined on Monday that Google breached antitrust laws by spending billions to establish an illegal monopoly and becoming the world's default search engine, marking a significant victory for federal authorities challenging Big Tech's market dominance.
This decision sets the stage for a subsequent trial to explore potential remedies, which might include breaking up Google parent Alphabet. Such a move would alter the landscape of the online advertising industry, where Google has long held sway. It also signals a robust stance by U.S. antitrust enforcers against Big Tech, a sector facing criticism from various political factions.
"The court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly," U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta of Washington, D.C., stated. Google dominates about 90 percent of the online search market and 95 percent of the smartphone search market.
The "remedy" phase could be protracted and may be followed by appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and potentially the U.S. Supreme Court. The legal proceedings could extend into the next year or even into 2026.
On Monday, Alphabet's shares dropped by 4.5 percent amid a broader decline in tech shares driven by recession concerns. In 2023, Google advertising accounted for 77 percent of Alphabet's total sales.
Alphabet announced its intention to appeal Mehta's decision. "This decision recognizes that Google offers the best search engine, but concludes that we shouldn't be allowed to make it easily available," Google stated.
(With input from Reuters)
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
This decision sets the stage for a subsequent trial to explore potential remedies, which might include breaking up Google parent Alphabet. Such a move would alter the landscape of the online advertising industry, where Google has long held sway. It also signals a robust stance by U.S. antitrust enforcers against Big Tech, a sector facing criticism from various political factions.
"The court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly," U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta of Washington, D.C., stated. Google dominates about 90 percent of the online search market and 95 percent of the smartphone search market.
The "remedy" phase could be protracted and may be followed by appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and potentially the U.S. Supreme Court. The legal proceedings could extend into the next year or even into 2026.
On Monday, Alphabet's shares dropped by 4.5 percent amid a broader decline in tech shares driven by recession concerns. In 2023, Google advertising accounted for 77 percent of Alphabet's total sales.
Alphabet announced its intention to appeal Mehta's decision. "This decision recognizes that Google offers the best search engine, but concludes that we shouldn't be allowed to make it easily available," Google stated.
(With input from Reuters)
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
