Google goes to trial in landmark antitrust case

Google will appear before the Washington district court later today, accused of monopolising online search space

Google will face the Washington district court over charges of unlawfully monopolising the online search space, on Tuesday. The case is the first of its type to go trial since Microsoft stood accused of similar practice more than two decades ago.

The suit, filed by the US Justice Department (DoJ), accuses Google of using its market dominance to lock out potential competitors and act as a gateway to the wider internet. The DoJs likely success hinges on the contracts Google has with other tech giants such as Apple. Apple has Google set as the default search engine on all its devices.

Google faces a second suit bought by 38 states and territories over monopoly concerns about advertising.

The landmark legal battle will have huge implications for Big Tech. Google is not the only company facing antitrust action. Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta and Microsoft are all accused of abusing market dominance in some way in multiple jurisdictions.

The suit has been welcomed by Google competitors such as Yahoo and DuckDuckGo.

In a statement, DuckDuckGo Vice President Communications & Public Affairs Kamyl Bazbaz asserted that Google has maintained a stranglehold on distribution for over a decade.

He said: "Google makes it unduly difficult to use DuckDuckGo by default. We're glad this issue is finally going to have its day in court."

Tech companies of all sizes are now looking to Judge Amit Mehta for access to a market they believe they have been barred from by Googles anti competitive behaviour.

Congress tried to clip Big Tech's wings last year, debating legislation to prevent them from preferencing their own products. However, the bitterly divided house failed again to reach agreement and legislation wasn't passed.

In the filing last month, Judge Mehta dismissed some charges against Google, including that which claimed the design of Google's search results page harms its rivals including Yelp and Expedia.

The narrowing of the lawsuit by the judge was framed as a win by Google but the key charge against Google's exclusive contracts with phone manufacturers is still ongoing.

The department claims the tech giant pays billions each year to secure the "Google by default" status on Apple and Android phones, tying the manufacturers in and prohibiting their engagement with Google competitors.

The trial is expected to take several months, and should Google lose, it is unclear exactly what sanctions can be applied, other than fines. Nonetheless, the trial verdict will have big implications for tech companies and consumers. Big Tech and Small Tech will keenly await the verdict.