Justice Department Files Landmark Antitrust Lawsuit Against Google
The U.S. Justice Department and 11 states file a major antitrust lawsuit against Google, accusing the tech giant of illegally maintaining monopoly power over search and search advertising. The case marks the most aggressive government action against a major technology company in decades.
The Justice Department issues a massive antitrust lawsuit against Google after investigating the company for over a year. The legal action accuses the search giant of unlawfully maintaining monopolies in general search services, search advertising, and general search text advertising across the United States. Eleven states with Republican attorneys general join the federal government in signing the 64-page suit, which cites Section 2 of the Sherman Act.
Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen states that Google acts as the gateway to the internet and a search advertising behemoth. He explains that while the company achieves early success, it maintains its monopoly power through exclusionary practices that harm competition. The lawsuit seeks remedies such as fines, enforced divestments, or changes to business practices to benefit consumers and prevent the loss of future innovation.
This case represents the most aggressive action the U.S. government takes against a technology company in decades, drawing immediate comparisons to the landmark Microsoft antitrust battle of the late 1990s. Ironically, many argue that the government's previous action against Microsoft reshaped the tech industry and created the exact environment that allows Google to flourish. The Justice Department also plans to continue reviewing anti-competitive practices by other market-leading online platforms.