I meant to comment on this but as it's been a few days, I wanted to make it a Locals exclusive take.
For some background, as you may or may not know, Judge Amit Mehta said in a 286-page ruling that Google was a monopoly, and that it violated the Sherman Act through its exclusionary distribution contacts. Evidence presented at the trial showed that Google paid $26 billion in 2021 to ensure that its search engine was the default on almost all devices, such as Apple's iPhone.
The question is, what happens from here?
First of all, Google is already appealing this decision, so the conclusion to this case is two to three years out at best. We often get hyped about legal results, thinking they will be immediate but this is a great example of how things can take a long time to work through the system and how lawsuits don't always solve problems in the best way (very slowly and incrementally).
Second, a total breakup of Google is unlikely. At best, we might get a spin-off (or divestment) of Google's Chrome internet browser and it's Android operating system. This is no TKO for Google, which will continue to expand it's reach in other ways and also continue it's collaborations with various national governments, which are far more concerning.
Hope you all enjoyed this article, I hope to write them when I have the opportunity!
- Andrew Esq.
