Google Found Guilty of Running Monopoly in Online Search
Image: Public domain. Google has been found guilty of running a monopoly in online search, but no one knows quite what will happen next.
Judge Rules Google’s Methods Illegal
A judge on Monday ruled that Google’s ubiquitous search engine has been using illegal methods to prevent competition. This is an earthshaking decision that could potentially change the Internet as we know it and could even lead to the breakup of one of the world’s Internet juggernauts.
The decision by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta comes after nearly a year of arguments between the U.S. Justice Department on one side and Google on the other in the country’s biggest antimonopoly trial for decades. After reviewing huge amounts of evidence that included testimony from top executives at Google, Microsoft, and Apple during last year’s 10-week trial, Mehta issued his potentially market-shifting decision three months after the two sides finished presenting their cases in early May.
What Did Google Do Wrong?
For the layperson, it is difficult to easily understand what Google has done wrong, but the case hinges largely on the fact that Google has paid billions of dollars to other companies like Apple to make Google the default internet search engine on their phones and other devices. This in turn creates enormous amounts of income for Google through having access to data about the cell phone owners.
The ruling is a major setback for Google and its parent, Alphabet Inc., which had argued that its popularity was simply because it was so good that consumers had no desire to use rival search engines.
What’s Next for Google?
Google’s search engine currently processes an estimated 8.5 billion queries per day worldwide, nearly doubling its daily volume from 12 years ago, according to a recent study released by the investment firm BOND. Google almost certainly will appeal the decision in a process that ultimately may land in the U.S. Supreme Court.
For now, the decision vindicates antitrust regulators at the Justice Department, which filed its lawsuit nearly four years ago while Donald Trump was still president and has been escalating its efforts to rein in Big Tech’s power during President Joe Biden’s administration.
Conclusion
Mehta’s conclusion that Google has been running an illegal monopoly sets up another legal phase to determine what sorts of changes or penalties should be imposed to reverse the damage done and restore a more competitive landscape. Besides boosting Microsoft’s Bing search engine, the outcome could hurt Google at a critical pivot point that is tilting technology in the age of artificial intelligence.
FAQs
* What did Google do wrong?
Google paid billions of dollars to other companies to make Google the default internet search engine on their phones and other devices, creating a monopoly and preventing competition.
* What will happen next?
Google will likely appeal the decision, and the case may ultimately land in the U.S. Supreme Court.
* Will this change the Internet as we know it?
Yes, this decision could potentially change the Internet by creating a more competitive landscape and encouraging innovation.
* What does this mean for Google’s future?
Google faces significant legal and regulatory challenges, which could impact its business and future growth.
Sources: VOA, AP, BBC, CNN.