Google is facing a landmark antitrust trial beginning Monday, as U.S. officials seek to break up the tech giant's dominance in the search engine market.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has brought the case to court, arguing that Google should be forced to sell its Chrome browser to restore competition to the online search market.
The outcome of the trial could have significant ramifications, potentially disrupting Google's long-standing position as the primary gateway to the internet. The DOJ hopes that the trial will not only challenge Google's monopoly in search but also prevent the company from extending its dominance into emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
During the opening statements, DOJ attorney David Dahlquist emphasized the bipartisan nature of the case, noting that it had been initiated under the Trump administration and carried forward under President Biden. "The full support of the DOJ both past and present" is behind this effort, he stated.
In response, Google has signaled its intent to appeal any unfavorable ruling. Google executive Lee-Anne Mulholland criticized the DOJ's proposed remedies, suggesting that they were too extreme and would disrupt the company's operations. "When it comes to antitrust remedies, the U.S. Supreme Court has said that 'caution is key,'" Mulholland wrote in a blog post. "DOJ's proposal throws that caution to the wind."
Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater, however, rejected Google's concerns, arguing that failing to address Google's monopoly would be "irresponsible." Slater, speaking outside the courthouse on Monday morning, stressed the need for action to address Google's abuse of its market power.
The trial is being overseen by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta and is expected to last for three weeks. At the center of the case is Google's practice of paying billions of dollars annually to companies like Apple to make its search engine the default on smartphones and tablets. The DOJ and a coalition of 38 state attorneys general are pushing for drastic measures, including ending these exclusive agreements, requiring Google to license search results to competitors, and potentially forcing the company to sell its Android operating system if other remedies fail to restore competition.
The DOJ also plans to call witnesses from AI companies, including Perplexity AI and OpenAI, to testify about how Google's exclusive agreements have hindered competition in the AI sector. Google, on the other hand, sees these proposals as excessive, arguing that cutting off financial support to browser makers like Mozilla and device vendors would harm the tech ecosystem and lead to higher costs for consumers.
The trial follows a recent win for the DOJ in a separate antitrust case, where a Virginia court ruled that Google maintains an illegal monopoly in advertising technology. The case is part of broader scrutiny of big tech companies, with Meta Platforms currently facing its own antitrust trial over its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp.
Google announced a new “AI Mode” for its search engine in the United States, aiming to make searching feel more like talking to an expert who can answer almost any question.
Mexico is suing Google for disregarding repeated requests to stop referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" for U.S. users on Google Maps.
Google plans to appeal parts of a recent U.S. court ruling that found it had unlawfully maintained monopoly power in parts of the online ad market, specifically in publisher ad servers and ad exchanges, while the court dismissed other antitrust claims.
A U.S. federal judge has ruled that Google illegally built monopoly power in its online advertising business, siding with the Department of Justice in a landmark antitrust case that could force the tech giant to break up parts of its empire.
China has dismissed the recent decision by Google to rename parts of the disputed South China Sea, which now labels maritime areas near the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea.
Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that 162 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight during what it described as a large-scale drone attack on its territory.
Poland's new president Karol Nawrocki won with 50.89%, setting up clashes with PM Tusk's pro-EU government on abortion, judiciary, Ukraine policy, and EU ties- threatening key reforms and deepening the nation’s political divide.
A political shift is brewing in Central Europe. Days after a right-wing Eurosceptic won Poland’s presidential race, Hungary is back in the spotlight. Its controversial Sovereignty Protection Act is raising fresh questions about foreign influence and the future of democracy in the region.
Russian stocks and the ruble fell as investors reacted cautiously to upcoming negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized Türkiye and Azerbaijan’s strategic partnership in energy, highlighting their growing role in ensuring regional and European energy security.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
Taxi drivers across France are protesting government plans to cut payments for driving patients to medical appointments. These cuts are part of a broader effort by Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €40 billion in the 2026 budget and reduce the country’s large deficit.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
As the US-China trade standoff intensifies, Beijing has released a striking video vowing to resist pressure and uphold its global trade role, accusing Washington of economic coercion.
Britain will expand its nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet and overhaul its defence posture under a major strategic review aimed at preparing the country for modern warfare and countering the growing threat from Russia.
Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that 162 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight during what it described as a large-scale drone attack on its territory.
Poland's new president Karol Nawrocki won with 50.89%, setting up clashes with PM Tusk's pro-EU government on abortion, judiciary, Ukraine policy, and EU ties- threatening key reforms and deepening the nation’s political divide.
A political shift is brewing in Central Europe. Days after a right-wing Eurosceptic won Poland’s presidential race, Hungary is back in the spotlight. Its controversial Sovereignty Protection Act is raising fresh questions about foreign influence and the future of democracy in the region.
Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that 162 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight during what it described as a large-scale drone attack on its territory.
Poland's new president Karol Nawrocki won with 50.89%, setting up clashes with PM Tusk's pro-EU government on abortion, judiciary, Ukraine policy, and EU ties- threatening key reforms and deepening the nation’s political divide.
A political shift is brewing in Central Europe. Days after a right-wing Eurosceptic won Poland’s presidential race, Hungary is back in the spotlight. Its controversial Sovereignty Protection Act is raising fresh questions about foreign influence and the future of democracy in the region.
Russian stocks and the ruble fell as investors reacted cautiously to upcoming negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized Türkiye and Azerbaijan’s strategic partnership in energy, highlighting their growing role in ensuring regional and European energy security.
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