Google’s Illegal Monopoly Ruling as a Major Victory

Millions of us have relied on Google as our primary source of information for years. However, this recent ruling finds that it has violated antitrust laws and established itself as a monopolist. What effects will Google’s illegal monopoly ruling have on how we search for information in the future?

The Details of Google’s Illegal Monopoly Ruling

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act. Beyond being a monopolist, Google actively maintains its monopoly through contracts that give it the scale to beat out rivals like Bing and GoDuckGo. Google’s illegal monopoly ruling will end its anti-competitive behavior.

The judge deemed Google’s exclusive deals with Apple and other top mobile industry companies were anti-competitive. He also pointed out the company’s high advertising rates as a reflection of its monopoly power.

Historic Case

The case is being called the biggest tech antitrust case since the U.S. government faced off against Microsoft in the early 2000s.

“The victory against Google is a historic win for the American people,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “No company- no matter how large or influential- is above the law.”

The Biden administration called Google’s illegal monopoly ruling “a victory for the American people.” The President and Vice President Harris have long aimed for a fair internet that is open to competition.

Google has vowed to appeal the decision. The company argued in court that it established itself as an industry leader because consumers prefer the service. They feel their superior service, rather than their contracts, got them where they are.

How Will Google’s Illegal Monopoly Ruling Affect Internet Searches

Google is expected to face penalties that may affect internet users. For example, lawmakers could force Google to implement a “choice screen” letting users know about other search engine options when they conduct research.

The ruling will also affect the company’s ability to make expensive deals with online providers and device makers. This could impact how it makes its search engine available to users.

The company may be fined. However, fines are typically not the major source of punishment in an antitrust case as they tend to have little effect on major companies.

A Google breakup may be possible as the company’s anti-competitive behavior could discourage future innovation or prevent a successor takeover.

In any event, the punishment’s consequences could take months or even years to become apparent.

Impact on Other Companies

Many celebrate Google’s illegal monopoly ruling as a significant win for consumers or technology. However, Adam Kovacevich, a former Google policy director and founder of the tech advocacy group Chamber of Progress, argues that Microsoft may be the biggest victor.

Kovacevich points out that the ruling could lead to default deals for Bing.

It could also impact other antitrust lawsuits, including those against Amazon, Apple, and Live Nation.

Impact on AI

Although much of the Google case took place behind closed doors, word has it that many critics discussed how the tech company’s monopoly position would also help it take a leading role in artificial intelligence. Google’s positioning in the tech world provided access to vast information that could result in advanced AI training, strengthening the company’s upper hand.

Once the company loses its standing as the default search engine on devices, it will reduce its access to information. It would damage a product currently gaining traction in the tech industry. Google’s illegal monopoly ruling can also make it fall behind competitors like Chat GPT and other notable search engines.