[DECODED] The Google antitrust ruling and how it affects you

"In October 2020, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, alleging that the Big Tech company has been using anticompetitive tactics to maintain its dominance in online search and advertising. The lawsuit said that by paying for its spot as the default browser, Google stifles competition from smaller rivals and essentially harms its own consumers by limiting their search options."

"In the liability ruling released in August 2024, District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google holds an illegal monopoly in online search and related advertising. "Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly," Mehta wrote. Over a year later, in the remedies ruling on September 2, Mehta said that Google can keep both its Chrome browser and its deal with Apple, but it has to share its search data with rivals to open up competition."

Google pays distribution partners, including Apple, billions annually to secure default search placement on devices like iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. The US Department of Justice filed an antitrust suit in October 2020 alleging anticompetitive tactics to maintain dominance in online search and advertising, including paying for default status and stifling rivals. In August 2024, Judge Amit Mehta ruled Google holds an illegal monopoly in search and related advertising. In a remedies ruling on September 2, Mehta allowed Google to keep Chrome and its Apple deal but ordered Google to share search data with rivals to foster competition. Market reaction included a surge in Alphabet shares.

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