Google Established Unlawful Monopoly In Search Market, US Judge Says In Landmark Antitrust Case

A federal judge in the United States has ruled that Google breached antitrust regulations by investing substantial sums to setup an unlawful monopoly and become the primary search engine globally. This landmark decision represents a major achievement for federal authorities aiming to curb the influence of technology behemoths.

Google Dominates 90% Of Online Search Market

Judge Amit Mehta noted that Google dominates approximately 90 per cent of the online search market and 95 per cent of the smartphone search market.

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In a groundbreaking lawsuit initiated by the US government in 2020, it was claimed that Google maintained its dominant position in the general search market by establishing formidable entry barriers and creating a self-reinforcing cycle that perpetuated its market leadership. The court’s decision determined that Google’s actions were in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act — a key piece of antitrust legislation that prohibits monopolistic practices.

This ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to regulate large technology companies and ensure fair competition in the digital marketplace. The case highlights the complex interplay between innovation, market dominance, and antitrust law in the rapidly evolving tech sector.

The verdict paves the way for a subsequent trial to consider remedial actions, which may include the possibility of dismantling Alphabet, Google’s parent company, the media has reported.

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Mehta, the judge who presided over the four-year-old case in Washington, called Google a “monopolist” in a 286-page decision on Monday that found the company had violated US antitrust law.

“The court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly,” judge Mehta stated.

The ensuing legal process, including potential appeals, may extend into 2026.

What Google Has To Say

In response to the ruling, Google has expressed its intention to appeal, contending that the decision unjustly targets its achievements. The company released a statement saying: “This decision recognises that Google offers the best search engine, but concludes that we shouldn’t be allowed to make it easily available.”

Following the announcement, Alphabet’s stock value decreased by 4.5 per cent, amid broader market declines. It’s worth noting that Google’s advertising revenue constituted 77 per cent of Alphabet’s total sales in 2023.