In August 2024, Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google had illegally maintained a monopoly in the online search market. Following this landmark decision, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering asking the court to force Google to sell off parts of its business. This could potentially lead to the first major corporate breakup in four decades. Google, however, warns of significant consequences for businesses and consumers.
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The US government is escalating its legal battle against Google, considering drastic measures that could reshape the tech giant’s business structure. Following a landmark court ruling in August, which found Google maintained its dominance in online search through illegal practices, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has hinted at possible “structural requirements” to break up the company’s monopoly. Prosecutors accuse Google of paying billions to ensure it remains the default search engine on major platforms like Apple and Samsung.
In its defense, Google argues that users choose its search engine because of its usefulness, and the company continues to innovate for consumers. However, the DoJ is expected to propose remedies that could limit Google‘s use of other products, such as Chrome and Android, to advantage its search business. Google’s response will be submitted after the DoJ’s proposals are finalized in November.
Legal analysts and compliance teams should closely monitor the developments of this case, as it could set a precedent for other pending lawsuits against major tech firms, including Meta, Amazon, and Apple, over anti-competitive practices.
FinTelegram invites insights into how a potential Google breakup could impact the broader tech industry and market competition.