A U.S. judge ruled that Google violated antitrust laws by spending billions to maintain an illegal monopoly as the world’s default search engine.
Reuters reports that the decision paves the way for a second trial to determine potential remedies, which might include breaking up Google’s parent company, Alphabet. This could significantly alter the online advertising landscape where Google has been a dominant force.
Judge Amit Mehta concluded that Google acted to maintain its monopoly, controlling about 90% of the online search market and 95% on smartphones.
The “remedy” phase could be prolonged, with possible appeals extending the legal battle into 2026.
Mehta ruled that Google violated antitrust laws, paying USD26.3 billion (~RM11.74 billion) in 2021 to ensure its search engine remains the default on smartphones and browsers, thereby maintaining its dominant market share.
Mehta highlighted the immense value of default status, noting that any new competitor would need to pay billions to challenge Google’s position.
The loss of default agreements, such as with Apple’s Safari, would significantly impact Google’s revenue.
Alphabet said they plan to appeal the decision, asserting that Google offers the best search engine and should be allowed to make it widely available.
