Google’s Three Antitrust Losses Have Had Limited Impact on Its Business
Google has now reached conclusions in three major antitrust lawsuits. Although legal disputes over potential advertising remedies may continue, the company has emerged from this period of regulatory uncertainty largely intact.
One of the lawsuits, brought by the US Department of Justice, challenged Google’s dominance in online search. The case produced several losses for Google, but the government ultimately failed to convince a judge that the company should sell its Chrome browser. Instead, Google was ordered to share certain search data with competitors and stop requiring mobile-device partners to distribute Google apps. While Google opposed the remedies, the outcome was less severe than the possibility of losing control of the world’s most popular web browser.
Google also lost an antitrust case brought by Epic Games. Epic argued that Google used its control over Android and the Google Play Store to restrict competing app stores and maintain high prices for developers and consumers. Although Google did not win the case, Epic also failed to secure every remedy it requested. The changes are limited to the United States, and Google will retain control over app reviews. Nevertheless, this ruling could have the greatest effect on how Google operates its mobile app business.
After attempting to reach a settlement that would have avoided wider third-party app store distribution, Google was required to comply with that portion of the judge’s order. The company has also reduced Google Play Store fees, allowing developers to use alternative payment systems.
Despite years of hearings, appeals, and court decisions, Google’s overall market power remains largely unchanged. The company may now have greater freedom to pursue new opportunities in artificial intelligence, while the current Justice Department appears less willing to impose aggressive restrictions on Big Tech.
Source: arstechnica.com