A U.S. federal court has found Google guilty of illegally maintaining a monopoly in online search and text advertising markets. The landmark ruling marks a significant turning point in the regulation of Big Tech.

In a 277-page decision, Judge Amit Mehta alleged that Google paid billions of dollars annually to Apple, Samsung, and other device manufacturers to secure its default search engine status, thereby stifling competition. The court claimed these practices limited consumer choice and artificially inflated advertising prices.

The lawsuit, filed by the U.S. Department of Justice and a coalition of states, argued that Google’s dominance in search and advertising technology violated antitrust laws. According to the ruling, Google purportedly spent over $20 billion each year on such payments to maintain its market power.

Google has announced its intention to appeal the decision. Company representatives assert that the court’s conclusions are flawed and that their services offer the best options for consumers. However, experts suggest this case could trigger a broader legal crackdown on tech giants in the United States.

The ruling is expected to have profound implications not only for Google’s business model but also for the entire digital advertising ecosystem. If the appeal fails, Google may be forced to fundamentally alter its search and advertising practices.

Source: uznews.uz