Google has announced its intention to appeal a ruling by a US court on how it operates its online search business. The trial, which began in 2023 and was launched by U.S. regulators in response to allegations that Google has maintained an illegal monopoly in online search and digital advertising markets, was originally decided on August 5 last year and has now entered its remedies phase. Google’s riposte came despite presiding District Judge Amit Mehta proposing less stringent measures to enhance competition in the market than forcing Google to sell its search business, as was originally mooted by DoJ lawyers last year.
“We will wait for the Court’s opinion,” said Google, in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “And we still strongly believe the Court’s original decision was wrong, and look forward to our eventual appeal.”
During the proceedings, Judge Mehta also considered the possibility of implementing limited data sharing and ceasing payments only if other measures fail to enhance competition. He also acknowledged that the emergence of AI products could potentially replace traditional search engines. “Ten years may seem like a short period, but in this space, a lot can change in weeks,” said Mehta.
Google’s attorney, John Schmidtlein, argued that the company had already addressed competition concerns in AI by refraining from exclusive agreements with wireless carriers and smartphone makers, including Samsung Electronics. This move allows these manufacturers to install competing search and AI applications on new devices. Schmidtlein also contended that sharing Google’s advanced technology with successful AI companies such as OpenAI would be inappropriate, given the company’s two decades of investment in its development.
Google navigates antitrust legal troubles
Google’s legal issues arise as antitrust enforcers fear its search dominance may unfairly benefit AI advancements. Earlier in April, a federal judge ruled that Google unlawfully dominated two markets of online advertising technology. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) proposed that the Alphabet subsidiary should divest key assets, including its Google Ad Manager, which encompasses the company’s publisher ad server and ad exchange.
The DOJ, along with a coalition of states, is also pushing for Google to share search data and halt its substantial payments to Apple and other smartphone manufacturers for making Google the default search engine on new devices. Judge Mehta has indicated his intention to deliver a ruling on how Google should address competition concerns in search and digital advertising by August.
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