Google Antitrust Trial: Latest Updates and Key Developments

The Google Antitrust Trial is a landmark court case brought by the US Justice Department against Google. The case alleges that Google used underhand tactics to maintain its position as the world’s leading search engine. This article provides the latest updates and key developments in the trial.

The Allegations

The U.S. Justice Department claims that Google, which owns a 90% market share in search, paid massive sums to companies like Apple to make it the default search engine on products like the iPhone. These multibillion-dollar deals allegedly gave Google an unfair advantage, making it nearly impossible for rival companies to compete.

The Trial

The trial began in mid-September and is expected to last 10 weeks. It includes testimonies from key figures like Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. The outcome of this landmark case could bring significant changes to Google and the future of the Internet.

Key Developments

• Narrowing of Claims: A summary judgment ruling by Judge Amit Mehta of the US District Court for the District of Columbia effectively narrowed the range of claims Google will have to defend when the case goes to trial.
• Secrecy Concerns: Much of the proceedings have unfolded behind closed doors, in sessions that are inaccessible to the public or the media. This secrecy has outraged transparency experts and tech critics, who allege that Google is trying to sweep the trial under the rug.
• Testimonies: The former Google official John Yoo, Verizon executive Brian Higgins and search engine DuckDuckGo CEO, Gabriel Weinberg, all had the majority of their testimony conducted in private³.
• Google’s Defense: Google’s lawyers have vehemently denied the allegations, countering that its prominence is the result of consumers choosing a superior product.

Key Takeaways

The Google Antitrust Trial is a significant event with potentially widespread implications for the tech industry, antitrust law, and potentially the way that hundreds of millions of people engage with and access the internet. As the trial unfolds, it will be crucial to stay updated with its latest developments.