Photo Credit: The Verge
The recent lawsuit against Google is one of its first antitrust suits; the company, owned by Alphabet, has the power to build markets, communicate and form public opinion. The Justice Department and eleven states who have become involved in the suit aim to establish measures and limitations against the technology company. The suit has taken action prior to the election with the aid of Attorney General William P. Barr who pushed it forward, “making good on President Trump’s pledge to take on Big Tech,” according to Steve Lohr at the New York Times.
The company has been allegedly participating in making restrictive and intertwining agreements that prevents competition. The government also suspects that Google uses the funds received from advertisements on its site to handle the manufacturing of mobile phones, carriers, and for browsers such as Apple’s Safari in order to keep Google as the default search engine. This cycle would continuously ensure Google’s dominance, however, “if the government does not enforce its antitrust laws to enable competition, we could lose the next wave of innovation. If that happens, Americans may never get to see the next Google,” stated Deputy U.S. Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, according to Brent Kendall and Rob Copeland in a Wall Street Journal article.
The government believes that Google has unjustly kept rivals away, however, Google considers it a mistake if the Justice Department succeeds because there would be worse search engine options, and the public would have to pay more for their phones. The head of Google’s global affairs, Kent Walker, stated how the Trump Administration’s case is “deeply flawed,” according to Shannon Bond at NPR.
There is some concern regarding the timing of the complaint by the Justice Department. “For years we have heard complaints that Google has used its dominance in online search markets to undermine rivals and limit competition. I am pleased that the Justice Department is finally taking action, but I hope the questionable timing of the suit so close to the election doesn’t undercut the work that must be done for American consumers in the weeks and months ahead,” stated Senator Amy Klobuchar, according to CNET.
The Justice Department has reached out to states throughout the country who share the same concerns regarding Google’s stance. Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Texas, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, and South Carolina have involved themselves with the Justice Department against Google, according to The Associated Press.
The attorney for Google, John Schmidtlein, is keen to address the multiple concerns regarding Google. “We are very anxious and ready and willing to move this case expeditiously. We look forward to defending this case to the fullest. And we want access to that material so we can begin that process as soon as possible,” he states according to Kendall at the Wall Street Journal.
Google came to a decision on Friday to not order a motion declining the Justice Department’s lawsuit, however, Google will continue to oppose it in court. Both sides have been unable to come to an understanding on how to secure private information that was given to the Justice Department through third parties. By November 13, the government and Google are expected to place their statements regarding their positions, according to Reuters.
