Attorney General Mike Hilgers has joined a coalition of 52 attorneys general and the U.S. Department of Justice in proposing significant measures to address Google’s alleged search engine monopoly. The coalition aims to end Google’s dominance in online search and restore competition for the benefit of consumers.
The Nebraska Department of Justice became part of the bipartisan coalition in December 2020, filing a lawsuit accusing Google of maintaining its monopoly through anticompetitive practices and contracts. In August 2024, a federal court ruled that Google had violated antitrust laws by unlawfully monopolizing online search and search text advertising. The newly proposed remedies are intended to enforce that ruling.
Key Remedies Proposed:
Ending Default Deals: Google would no longer be allowed to pay for its search engine to be the default on devices such as phones, tablets, and browsers, commonly known as revenue-sharing agreements.
Prohibiting Anticompetitive Practices: Google would be barred from using its control over products like Android to stifle competition or favor its own services.
Data Sharing Requirements: Google would be required to share data it acquired unlawfully with rival companies to foster competition.
Potential Divestiture: If Google does not comply with the remedies or if they prove insufficient, the company may be forced to divest key platforms like Chrome or Android to reduce its dominance.
The proposal also includes a public education campaign, funded by Google, to inform consumers about its antitrust violations and encourage the use of alternative search engines. Temporary financial incentives for users to explore other services may also be offered. These measures would be overseen by a five-member technical committee for a 10-year enforcement period.
A hearing on these proposed remedies is set to take place from April 22 to May 2, 2025.
Participating States:
The coalition includes states such as Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona, Iowa, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and others, along with territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and the District of Columbia. Separately, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Florida, and other states joined the U.S. Department of Justice in suing Google.
This joint effort marks a critical step toward addressing monopolistic practices in the digital marketplace and ensuring fair competition for consumers and businesses alike.
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