U.S. Questions Verizon, Google on Default Browser and Search Deals

U.S. Justice Dept questions Verizon exec on always pre-installing Google Chrome & search on phones
Govt argues Google's $10B in payments helped it gain default positions, feeding data to ads business
Google pushed Android makers to preset Google as default search engine & other apps
Expert says defaults make people likely to stick with search engines, apps on phones
Google defends high market share as reflecting quality, not illegal actions to build monopolies

reuters.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/31/2023

Google targets DOJ antitrust chief with bias allegations in monopoly defense

Google has questioned the motivations of the US Justice Department's top antitrust official in a filing to a district court, arguing that his past clients create an ethical conflict and raise doubts about the government's lawsuit against the tech giant.

9/6/2023

States, Google settle app store antitrust case

Google has reached a settlement in a long-running antitrust case with attorneys general in 36 states and Washington, D.C., over its mobile app store policies, ahead of the expected trial in November.

9/6/2023

US lawmakers are pushing Google to restructure amid monopoly concerns

The US Justice Department has started a 10-week trial against Google, accusing the company of monopolistic practices in dominating the search engine market through its business partnerships, including with Apple, to ensure its search engine is the default on mobile devices.

9/11/2023

Google Faces Antitrust Trial Over Search Deals With Apple As Rivals Hope To Break Search Monopoly

Google is facing a historic legal battle against the U.S. government in a generational antitrust case that questions the company's dominance in internet search and its contracts with device makers, including a lucrative deal with Apple.

9/13/2023

Google Used Deals to Maintain Search Dominance, U.S. Says on First Day of Antitrust Trial

The Justice Department's antitrust trial against Google began with claims that the company pursued agreements to be the default search engine on mobile devices, while Google argued that its search engine's quality was the primary reason for such agreements.

9/15/2023

Verizon Exec to Testify in Google Antitrust Trial About Carrier Deals

Verizon executive Brian Higgins will be the first witness in the Justice Department's antitrust trial against Google, facing questions about the search giant's agreements with wireless carriers to be the default on their smartphones.

9/18/2023

DOJ Objects to Redactions in Google Antitrust Trial, Worries Public Understanding Is Hindered

During the US Department of Justice's trial against Google, the court sealed off two hours of testimony from a Verizon executive, sparking objections from the DOJ over the sealing of important information that is crucial to the public's understanding of the case.

9/24/2023

DOJ Sues Google for Alleged Antitrust Violations Related to Search Dominance

The Department of Justice has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, alleging that the company's billion-dollar deals to be the default search engine on smartphones have created a monopoly, and if the trial is successful, Google may be forced to break up its various businesses.

Topics

Posted 9/18/2023, 4:17:00 PM

U.S. Questions Verizon, Google on Default Browser and Search Deals

U.S. Justice Dept questions Verizon exec on always pre-installing Google Chrome & search on phones
Govt argues Google's $10B in payments helped it gain default positions, feeding data to ads business
Google pushed Android makers to preset Google as default search engine & other apps
Expert says defaults make people likely to stick with search engines, apps on phones
Google defends high market share as reflecting quality, not illegal actions to build monopolies

reuters.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/31/2023

Google targets DOJ antitrust chief with bias allegations in monopoly defense

9/6/2023

States, Google settle app store antitrust case

Google has reached a settlement in a long-running antitrust case with attorneys general in 36 states and Washington, D.C., over its mobile app store policies, ahead of the expected trial in November.

9/6/2023

US lawmakers are pushing Google to restructure amid monopoly concerns

9/11/2023

Google Faces Antitrust Trial Over Search Deals With Apple As Rivals Hope To Break Search Monopoly

9/13/2023

Google Used Deals to Maintain Search Dominance, U.S. Says on First Day of Antitrust Trial

9/15/2023

Verizon Exec to Testify in Google Antitrust Trial About Carrier Deals

9/18/2023

DOJ Objects to Redactions in Google Antitrust Trial, Worries Public Understanding Is Hindered

9/24/2023

DOJ Sues Google for Alleged Antitrust Violations Related to Search Dominance