The U.S. Justice Department and Google concluded their closing arguments in a significant antitrust case on Friday. The case revolves around claims that Google unlawfully dominated web search and related advertising.
The government believes this case could significantly impact the future of the internet. Judge Amit Mehta questioned both sides extensively, focusing on whether platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram are competitive alternatives for search advertising dollars.
The judge will now decide whether Google's actions violated civil antitrust law. Google's advertising business accounts for about three-quarters of its revenue. The government lawyer argued that "advertising revenue is what drives Google's monopoly power today."
Google's lawyer countered this by highlighting the advertising power of rival platforms and asserting that Google continually innovates its search advertising products. The trial started on September 12th, with the Justice Department asserting that Google is a monopolist that has illegally used its power to increase profits.
This case was initiated by the Trump administration and is the first of several aimed at curbing the market power of tech giants. Cases against Amazon.com and Apple Inc. have also been filed by President Joe Biden's antitrust enforcers.