This ruling is the result of an antitrust case filed by the DOJ and several U.S. states, accusing Google of “unlawfully maintaining monopolies” over search and search-related products, thereby stifling competition and maintaining its grip on the search industry.
DOJ Lawsuit and Its Implications
The 2020 lawsuit asserted that Google engaged in illegal practices to maintain its dominant position in the search market.
One of the primary allegations was that Google paid billions of dollars annually to companies like Apple, Samsung, and Mozilla to secure its spot as the default search engine on their devices and browsers. This practice, the DOJ argued, gave Google an unfair advantage, preventing competitors from gaining the scale needed to compete.
Currently Google facilitates nearly 90% of web searches.
Its default search engine agreements have greatly contributed to its continued command of the marketplace. By paying off major players in the tech industry, Google not only benefits from increased revenue but also collects vast amounts of data that its rivals cannot access.
