Future of Google Search Hinges on Federal Judge’s Decision

Google’s dominance as the world’s leading search engine is under threat as a federal court judge, Amit Mehta, prepares to dismantle the company’s monopoly power. Mehta previously ruled that Google’s agreements with companies like Apple, which make Google the default search engine, violated antitrust laws.

This legal battle, alongside other government lawsuits against major tech companies like Amazon and Meta, reflects growing bipartisan and public distrust of Big Tech’s influence on society and the economy. UC Berkeley law professor and antitrust expert Christopher Hockett shared insights into the case and its broader implications.

Q: How would search look with more competition?

Since 2009, Google has maintained over 80% of the market share in general search services. Judge Mehta’s ruling assumes more competition would benefit the market.

Q: Why was this lawsuit filed after years of dominance?

The case was initiated in October 2020 during the Trump administration, highlighting bipartisan concerns about Big Tech’s market power. On the left, there’s criticism of tech monopolies; on the right, there’s concern over perceived bias against conservative viewpoints.

Q: Are antitrust cases against Google, Apple, Amazon, and Meta a backlash against Big Tech?

Yes, these lawsuits reflect growing skepticism, particularly toward social media’s societal impact. However, existing antitrust precedents often favor market self-correction, posing challenges for monopolization claims.

Q: What will happen in the first hearing on Google’s monopoly remedies?

Judge Mehta is expected to set a schedule for both parties to present their arguments regarding remedies, rather than diving into specific solutions.

Q: What are potential remedies?

Options could include breaking up parts of Google, such as divesting the Android operating system, Chrome, or web indexing capacity. A more straightforward approach might involve prohibiting Google from paying for default search engine status.

Q: What’s next after the hearing?

The Justice Department will propose remedies, followed by Google’s response. The process could take several months.

 

 What’s next after the hearing?

Judge Mehta might issue a ruling within a month or two, but it could take longer given the case’s significance.

Q: Will Google appeal?

Yes, Google is expected to appeal, arguing that it won the default search status on Apple devices because it offered the highest prices. Google may also request suspension of any imposed remedies during the appeal.

Q: Could this case reach the Supreme Court? 

The appeal process could take about a year, and while not guaranteed, the case could eventually reach the Supreme Court unless settled beforehand.