After weeks of intense courtroom drama, Google and the U.S. Justice Department have wrapped up their closing arguments in a landmark antitrust trial that could redefine the future of the internet. 🌐⚖️
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta is now left with the monumental task of deciding whether Google has unlawfully dominated web search and advertising. He grilled both sides with tough questions, especially about whether platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram are real competitors for search advertising dollars. 📱💰
\"Advertising revenue is what drives Google's monopoly power today,\" argued U.S. government lawyer David Dahlquist. He claimed that Google doesn't feel market pressures and can raise prices or not improve products without fear. \"Only a monopolist can make a product worse and still make more money,\" he emphasized. 💼💡
But Google's lawyer, John Schmidtlein, fired back, saying Google's share of U.S. digital advertising revenue is actually decreasing. He pointed to the rise of rivals like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon. \"Google is constrained by rival platforms where the eyeballs are,\" he said. \"Advertisers know there are overlapping audiences and can spend their dollars elsewhere.\" 💥📉
He also argued that Google constantly innovates its search advertising products. \"If Google is a monopolist, why improve anything? Why not just jack the price up?\" Schmidtlein challenged. \"Google has won with a superior product.\" 🏆🚀
The trial has been a rollercoaster 🎢, with witnesses from Verizon, Samsung Electronics, and Google itself testifying about Google's hefty payments—$26.3 billion in 2021—to ensure its search engine remains the default on smartphones and browsers. 📱💰
Judge Mehta also questioned Google's practices regarding the alleged destruction of internal documents relevant to the lawsuit. The government asked the court to presume that deleted chats were unfavorable to Google. 🗑️❓
This case is a big deal because it's the first of several aimed at reining in the power of tech giants. Similar cases have been filed against Meta (Facebook's parent company) and others. The outcome could shake up how we use the internet every day! 🌐🚀
Now, all eyes are on Judge Mehta as he prepares to make a decision that could change the digital landscape. Will Google's reign continue, or is a new era on the horizon? Stay tuned! 👀⏳
Reference(s):
Google trial wraps up as judge weighs landmark U.S. antitrust claims
cgtn.com
