The US government’s landmark antitrust trial against Google’s search business is nearing its conclusion, but the challenges against Big Tech’s power are just getting started. This article provides updates on the antitrust investigations and lawsuits against Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta. It explores the allegations, the companies’ responses, and the potential impact of the rulings on the tech industry.
Apple explored the possibility of replacing Google with DuckDuckGo as the default search engine for private browsing on Safari. However, the talks did not lead to a deal as DuckDuckGo relied on Bing for search results. Apple also considered using Bing’s search engine for Safari and held discussions with Microsoft executives. The revelations were made during the US government’s antitrust trial against Google.
The Justice Department’s first witness when the government kicks off the second week of the Google antitrust trial will be a Verizon executive, who will likely face questions about agreements that the search and advertising giant reached with wireless carriers to be the default on their smartphones. The trial began Tuesday with talk of the ‘future of the internet’ but quickly plunged into the weeds of commercial agreements with Android makers like Motorola and Samsung.
The US Department of Justice, in a major antitrust trial, has accused Google of leveraging its position in the search market to hinder competition and innovation. Government lawyers argue that Google pays billions of dollars annually to secure its search engine as the default choice on devices like the iPhone and web browsers. The trial will determine if Google broke the law and how it should be regulated. Executives from Google and other tech giants are expected to testify.
