Public Knowledge Hails U.S. v. Google Decision Finding Monopoly Hold on Search Markets

By: Shiva Stella (Public Knowledge)

In a landmark ruling in U.S. v. Google, the D.C. District Court determined that Google violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act through anticompetitive practices in the general search and search text advertising markets. The U.S. Department of Justice had previously filed this antitrust suit, alleging that Google monopolized both the search engine and general search advertising markets. This suit followed our recent letters urging the Justice Department to scrutinize Google’s conduct for anticompetitive behavior in these markets.

The following statement is attributed to Elise Phillips, Policy Counsel at Public Knowledge:

“Public Knowledge is thrilled that Judge Amit Mehta has ruled in favor of the U.S. government, confirming that Google’s stranglehold on the search and search text advertising markets is both anticompetitive and unacceptable. For far too long, Google has exploited its market power to trap consumers within its search engine and block competitors from key distribution channels.

“Judge Mehta’s decision clearly illustrates how Google’s exclusive agreements with Apple, making it the default search engine, and its tactics with Android to lock users into Google search, have stifled competition and hindered innovation. Additionally, Google’s control over text advertising has enabled it to hike prices unchecked, delivering poorer quality ads while squeezing out competition’s ability to generate revenue and attract advertisers.”..

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