antitrust

Manna from Heaven: Judge Preserves Apple’s $20 Billion Payday from Google

Although Google is being considered a major winner this week following a federal district court judge’s antitrust ruling that analysts are calling a “slap on the wrist,” Apple has emerged from the trial as another big winner. Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google can continue its lucrative search deals, used to lock it in as the default search engines for devices, including a $20 billion annual payment to Apple. 

Tim Cook is happy for Apple

Best Case Scenario for Big Tech: Google Avoids Breakup in Search Antitrust Case, Keeps $20B Deal with Apple

The judge in the Google Search antitrust case has ruled against the government’s proposals to break up the tech giant, including a forced sale of its Chrome browser. The ruling also allows Google to maintain its massive $20 billion deal with Apple, although the tech giant will be forced to end exclusive distribution contacts. Both the Big Tech Masters of the Universe and the stock market are celebrating the decision as a massive win for Google.

Sundar Pichai of Google is happy

Google Antitrust Trials Reveals How Internet Giant Steamrolls Publishers on AI

The ongoing remedy phase of Google’s search antitrust trial has revealed how the internet giant used its stranglehold over internet search to strongarm publishers on the controversial topic of AI training. Internal documents show Google considering giving publishers an opt out on AI training before deciding to force publishers to feed their insatiable AI machine.

Google boss Sundar Pichai with a sly grin

Apple Defends $20 Billion Sweetheart Deal at Google Search Antitrust Trial

Apple Senior Vice President of Services Eddy Cue defended the company’s $20 billion a year deal with search monopoly Google during the remedy phase of the internet giant’s antitrust trial in Washington, DC. Cue also testified that rapid advancements in AI could disrupt Google’s search monopoly more effectively than court intervention.

Sundar Pichai of Google and Tim Cook of Apple

Now the Censors Are Worried: Google Search Chief Claims DOJ’s Proposed Changes Could Undermine User Trust

Google’s search chief, Elizabeth Reid, testified that the DOJ’s proposed changes to the company’s search practices could “deeply undermine user trust” and slow down innovation in the search industry. This claim comes after the company censored conservatives on its search engine throughout the Trump era — which clearly undermined user trust in the company.

Sundar Pichai of Google is all masked up

Google Antitrust Trial: Perplexity AI Exec Testifies Internet Giant Still Uses Exclusivity Deals to Beat Competition

As the remedy phase of the Google search monopoly case continues, a witness from AI startup Perplexity testified that the search giant’s exclusivity contracts prevented smartphone maker Motorola from setting Perplexity AI as the default assistant on its new devices. The AI executive says Google’s exclusive agreements are like a “gun to your head” from the perspective of device makers.

Sundar Pichai gloats over Google's Android Monopoly

Guilty Google 2.0: What Happens Next in Ad Tech Antitrust Case

Google has been found guilty of antitrust violations in the publisher ad server and ad exchange markets, marking the second time the tech giant has been ruled a monopolist within a year. Google is expected to appeal the verdict, and the split nature of the decision means a forced breakup action is unlikely.

Google chief Sundar Pichai lost the case