US Court ruled Google maintained illegal monopoly over online search

The US District Court of Columbia ruled Google maintained an illegal monopoly over online search and related advertising. The court noticed that Google engaged in illegal activity to suppress rivals and maintain its monopoly.

This historic ruling is a major blow to Google’s parent company, Alphabet. It could significantly change how tech giants do business. It came after the US Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Google in 2020 due to its dominance of about 90% of the online search industry.

Justice Department Statements on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia’s Decision in U.S. v Google

🔗: https://t.co/Dj7Xbwz6Yy pic.twitter.com/kzJfWlNWk7
— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) August 5, 2024

However, it is unclear the US court will impose what penalties, in the aftermath of this verdict. The court will decide on fines or other remedies in the next hearing.

Columbia Court Judge Amit Mehta said Google paid billions to guarantee that its search engine remains defaulted on cellphones and web browsers.

He passed a 277-page judgment describing that Google is a monopolist and has acted as one to maintain its monopoly over online search and industry-related advertisements.

Meanwhile, Alphabet declared that it would file an appeal against the US court which ruled Google maintained illegal monopoly.

It said this decision acknowledges that Google provides the best search engine but concludes that they should not have a permit to make it easily available.

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Meanwhile, US top prosecutor General Merrick Garland praised the court verdict as a “historic win for the American people.” Any business regardless of its size or power is subject to law. The Justice Department will continue to enforce its antitrust laws strictly.

Previously, Google called the US Justice Department’s lawsuit an existential danger to the company and its owner. However, it was only one of several lawsuits filed by US antitrust authorities against big tech companies. They aim to strengthen industry competition.

Federal antitrust authorities of America have also filed lawsuits against Meta Platforms, Amazon, and Apple Inc. for operating unlawful monopolies.