17 States Join DOJ Lawsuit: Google's Antitrust Showdown
Google's Antitrust Showdown: 17 States Involved in DOJ Lawsuit
On September 30, 2023, 17 states joined the Department of Justice (DOJ) in a landmark antitrust lawsuit against Google. The lawsuit alleges that Google has monopolized the digital advertising market, stifling competition and harming consumers.
The 17 states that have joined the lawsuit are:
- Arizona
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- Washington
- West Virginia
These states join the eight states that filed suit alongside the DOJ in January 2023:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- New Jersey
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Virginia
The lawsuit alleges that Google has abused its monopoly power by:
- Favoring its own advertising products and services over those of its competitors
- Making it difficult for rivals to compete in the digital advertising market
- Charging excessive fees for advertising services
- Using its market power to extract unfair concessions from website publishers
The lawsuit seeks to force Google to divest itself of some of its advertising businesses and to adopt other measures to restore competition to the digital advertising market.
The lawsuit against Google is one of the most significant antitrust cases in decades. It comes at a time when the government is increasingly scrutinizing the power of Big Tech companies. The outcome of the case could have a major impact on the future of the digital economy.
What does this mean for consumers?
If the government is successful in its lawsuit against Google, it could lead to lower prices for advertisers and more choices for consumers. It could also make it easier for new companies to enter the digital advertising market.
However, the lawsuit is likely to be a long and complicated process. It is unclear how long it will take for the case to be resolved, or what the ultimate outcome will be.
What can you do?
If you are concerned about Google's market power, you can contact your elected representatives and urge them to support antitrust reform. You can also choose to use alternative search engines and advertising platforms.