The long-awaited antitrust trial against Google began on Tuesday, with the Justice Department accusing the tech giant of abusing its monopoly power in the online search and advertising markets.
The trial is the culmination of a three-year investigation by the Justice Department, which alleges that Google has used its market power to stifle competition and innovation. The department is seeking to break up Google or force it to change its business practices.
Google has denied the allegations, arguing that it has competed fairly and that its products have benefited consumers. The company has also said that the Justice Department's case is based on outdated antitrust laws that do not reflect the realities of the digital economy.
The trial is expected to last several weeks and will feature testimony from a number of witnesses, including Google executives, economists, and antitrust experts. The outcome of the trial could have a major impact on Google's business and the future of the tech industry.
Here are some of the key allegations against Google:
- Google has used its dominance in the online search market to favor its own products and services over those of competitors.
- Google has entered into exclusive agreements with device manufacturers and wireless carriers to make its search engine the default option on their devices.
- Google has used its market power in the online advertising market to charge advertisers higher prices.
The Justice Department is seeking to break up Google into two companies: one that would handle its search and advertising businesses, and another that would handle its other products and services. The department is also seeking to force Google to change its business practices, such as by allowing users to choose their default search engine.
The trial is expected to be closely watched by the tech industry and by antitrust regulators around the world. The outcome of the trial could have a major impact on Google's business and the future of the tech industry.
The Google anti-trust trial is a significant development in the ongoing debate about the power of tech giants. The outcome of the trial could have a major impact on the way that tech companies operate and could also set a precedent for future antitrust cases.