What's happened
Google's landmark antitrust trial concluded after final arguments were heard by a federal judge, with the Justice Department alleging an illegal monopoly maintained by the tech giant through lucrative deals with companies like Apple. Unredacted documents revealed Google paid $20 billion to Apple in 2022 to secure its position as the default search engine on Safari, a key focus of the trial.
Why it matters
The conclusion of Google's antitrust trial holds significant implications for the tech industry, with a ruling expected to potentially reshape the power dynamics within the sector. The outcome could set precedents for future antitrust cases against other tech giants, impacting competition and innovation in the digital landscape.
What the papers say
In the closing arguments, the Justice Department argued that Google's dominance stems from contracts with companies like Apple, while Google maintains its ubiquity is due to delivering superior results. The government alleges that Google's $20 billion spent annually on such contracts indicates a strategy to block competition, a claim Google refutes by stating customers can choose other search engines.
How we got here
The antitrust trial against Google is part of a broader effort by the US government to rein in the power of Big Tech companies. The case focuses on Google's alleged monopoly in internet search and its impact on competition and innovation. The trial has highlighted the significant influence of default search engine deals with companies like Apple in maintaining Google's market dominance.
Common question
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Google LLC is an American multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and products, which include online advertising technologies, a search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware.
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Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California, that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services.
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Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company with headquarters in Redmond, Washington. It develops, manufactures, licenses, supports, and sells computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services.