Google is being sued by the DOJ over alleged digital ad monopoly:
On Tuesday, the US Department of Justice announced that it would be joining eight states in filing a civil antitrust suit against Google over its monopoly on digital advertising. The lawsuit claims that Google abuses its power to put website publishers and advertisers at a disadvantage if they "dare to use" competing advertising technology products.
"Google has used anticompetitive, exclusionary, and unlawful conduct to eliminate or severely diminish any threat to its dominance over digital advertising technologies," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland in a statement. "No matter the industry and no matter the company, the Justice Department will vigorously enforce our antitrust laws to protect consumers, safeguard competition, and ensure economic fairness and opportunity for all."
The suit alleges that Google has been engaging in anticompetitive behavior for years. Some of that alleged anticompetitive conduct includes acquiring competitors to obtain their digital ad tech, forcing publishers to adopt its tools, distorting auction competition by limiting real-time bidding on publisher inventory, and manipulating auction mechanics.
"The complaint filed today alleges a pervasive and systemic pattern of misconduct through which Google sought to consolidate market power and stave off free-market competition," said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco.
According to the DOJ and the eight Attorneys General of California, Colorado, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Virginia, Google violated Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act, which concern contracts in restraint of trade and monopolization.
(Score: 4, Informative) by Freeman on Thursday January 26 2023, @04:44PM (5 children)
Okay, sure it's not true to the court, unless proven. It may actually be much better than it used to be actually. With the likes of Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft looking for that sweet, sweet ad-revenue as well. Google's just the one that showed everyone else how it's done.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by DeathMonkey on Thursday January 26 2023, @05:11PM (4 children)
Innocent until proven guilty is a pretty important feature of our form of government...
I think the convicted monopolist Microsoft didn't need any help from Google on this front.
Plus you don't need to include "alleged" in any headlines about them!
(Score: 3, Informative) by DannyB on Thursday January 26 2023, @05:19PM (3 children)
Microsoft was convicted for monopoly abuse. Then just at the crucial moment, the George W Bush administration came into power and DOJ Ashcroft pulled the plug on any penalties. That is over simplifying, but that's it in a nutshell. Part of what helped enable this was the judge's carelessness in disclosing certain details just prior to the verdict being formally announced.
Too bad for Google that a party is in power that might not be keen to protect monopolist abusers.
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(Score: 4, Touché) by DeathMonkey on Thursday January 26 2023, @05:46PM
Yep, when the Republicans are in charge Big Tech Monopolies are God's perfect Capitalist system at work. And when it's a (D) they are the the aborted fetus of Mother Mary.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by mcgrew on Thursday January 26 2023, @08:39PM (1 child)
Too bad for Google that a party is in power that might not be keen to protect monopolist abusers.
Clinton's DOJ got Microsoft convicted. Bush got them off. Even if this administration goes after them with guns blazing, the next administration may let Google off like Bush let Microsoft off.
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(Score: 2) by DannyB on Thursday January 26 2023, @10:03PM
Yes. That could happen. Whether for better or worse.
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