The Facts
The landmark antitrust trial against Google opened Tuesday in Washington, DC — the largest US antitrust trial in decades.
The US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) has accused Google of paying leading device manufacturers, wireless phone providers, and web browser developers $10B per year to keep its search engine as their default option in an effort to maintain Google’s approximate 90% market share.
The Spin
Narrative A
The DOJ’s case against Google is an attack on consumer preferences rather than an attempt to end monopolies. Overwhelming evidence shows most people prefer Google’s search engine whether or not it's the default option on their devices. Google uses its customer data to create the best product possible, and cracking down on that practice will lead to worse products and services.
Narrative B
Google is a monopoly, allowing it to obtain an unimaginable level of user data, and something must be done to increase competition. The DOJ must press this case in order to make sure powerful industry leaders can’t freeze out competition. Google has abused its power and wealth for far too long.
