On August 5, 2024, Judge Amit Mehta delivered a ruling in the case of United States of America v. Google, declaring, “…the court concludes that Google is a monopolist and has acted to maintain its monopoly. It has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act.”
This marked the conclusion of the most significant antitrust trial in the tech sector since the US government challenged Microsoft in the 1990s—excluding the current antitrust case focusing on Google’s advertising business. However, this is merely the beginning of the next steps. Attorneys for both Google and the Department of Justice are currently negotiating the ruling and determining the path forward regarding the company and its services.
The DOJ asserted that Google engaged in anticompetitive agreements with Apple and other companies to secure favorable positioning for its search engine. Google argues that its leading market position is a result of offering a superior product. The DOJ has proposed potential solutions, including the possibility of breaking up Google to separate its products like Chrome, Search, and Android, though it may take some time before a comprehensive plan is revealed.
Continue reading below for the latest updates and insights on the case.
