Chinanews, October 21st, a comprehensive report, on the 20th local time, the U.S. Department of Justice and 11 states filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, accusing the company of illegally using its market power to suppress competitors in the field of Internet search and search advertising. Maintain an illegal monopoly position.
Google subsequently responded that the antitrust litigation had "serious flaws."
Data map: Tourists take photos at the Google headquarters in Mountain View, Northern California.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Liu Guanguan
According to reports, this lawsuit is the most high-profile antitrust case taken by the US Department of Justice since it sued Microsoft for monopolizing the software market in 1998.
The lawsuit originated from a year-long investigation of Google and the other three technology giants Apple, Amazon and Facebook by the Department of Justice.
The Justice Department’s complaint described Google as a "monopolistic Internet gatekeeper," and claimed that Google, owned by its parent company Alphabet, had used intertwined "exclusive" transactions to suppress competitors in the search business.
US Attorney General Barr also pointed out that investigators found that Google did not compete on the quality of its search engine, but succeeded by paying mobile phone manufacturers and other companies.
"If we let Google continue its anti-competitive approach, we will lose the next wave of innovators."
Subsequently, Google's chief legal officer, Kent Walker, issued a statement saying that the antitrust litigation had "serious flaws."
Volcker pointed out, "People use Google because they choose to do so, not because they are forced to do so, or because they can't find other alternatives. This lawsuit will not help consumers in any way."
According to Reuters analysis, U.S. President Trump and Republicans have always accused Google of suppressing conservative voices, and the Justice Department's choice to sue Google before the US election may be regarded as a "political posture."
The state attorneys involved in the complaint are all Republicans.
Another part of the state is also expected to file a lawsuit against Google later.
Deputy Justice Minister Jeffrey Rosen said that because the technology market is changing rapidly, it is necessary to act quickly.
He denied any connection between the upcoming election and the timing of this lawsuit.