The Department of Justice is framing the outcome of its massive antitrust case against Google as a partial but important victory, even though its primary goal of a corporate breakup was denied. The government emphasized that the court did find Google guilty of illegal monopolization and imposed remedies to “restore competition.”
DOJ antitrust head Gail Slater stated that “Google is being held accountable” for its actions. The key wins for the government include the court’s ban on Google’s use of exclusive contracts to distribute its search engine and the mandate for the company to share some of its coveted search data with rivals.
These measures, the DOJ argues, will help “reopen the digital playing field” and drive innovation. By forcing Google to change its conduct and share resources, the government believes it has laid the groundwork for a more competitive market, particularly for new AI-driven search alternatives.
Despite this positive spin, the denial of a structural remedy is a significant disappointment for trustbusters. The decision to allow Google’s multi-billion dollar payments to Apple to continue leaves a major pillar of its monopoly intact. The DOJ is now evaluating whether to appeal the decision to seek these tougher penalties.
A Partial Win for DOJ: Google Held Accountable, But Escapes Breakup
