New Delhi: In a landmark decision that could reshape the tech industry, a U.S. court has found Google guilty of abusing its dominance in the search engine market. The ruling, a major victory for antitrust enforcers, accuses the tech giant of illegally maintaining its monopoly through billions of dollars in payments to secure its position as the default search engine on devices.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta concluded that Google acted like a monopolist to protect its market share. The court found that the company paid a staggering $26.3 billion in 2021 alone to maintain its default search engine status.
The ruling sets the stage for a second trial to determine the appropriate remedies. This could include drastic measures such as breaking up Google’s parent company, Alphabet. Such a move would have far-reaching implications for the online advertising industry, currently dominated by Google.
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With Google controlling approximately 90% of the overall search market and a staggering 95% of the smartphone search market, the company’s influence on how people access information online is undeniable.
The road ahead is likely to be long and complex. Google has already announced its intention to appeal the ruling, arguing that it was unfairly penalized for offering the best search engine. The legal battle could stretch into 2026, with potential appeals reaching the U.S. Supreme Court.
The decision has been met with widespread praise from government officials and antitrust advocates. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland hailed it as a historic win for competition, while Senator Amy Klobuchar emphasized the bipartisan support for holding Big Tech accountable.
The case against Google marks a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against tech monopolies. Other tech giants, including Meta, Amazon, and Apple, have also faced antitrust scrutiny in recent years, indicating a growing determination to curb their market power.
