US Considers a Rare Antitrust Move: Breaking Up Google

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-13/doj-considers-seeking-google-goog-breakup-after-major-antitrust-win

by jmsflknr • 2 years ago

52 8 2 years ago

zer00eyz2• 2 years ago

The DOJ does not have a great record of late with these sorts of cases. This one isn't that strong and it's a coin toss if it will survive an appeal.

This is a pretty harsh sanction for this case, even more so in the light of the current landscape.

If you break google up into 3-4 companies and they all leave with a copy of consumer data... you will have traded in a snake for a hydra. No one at the DOJ is smart enough to avoid this outcome...

xeanotods• 2 years ago

It's not a coin toss at all. Judge Mehta's ruling is rock solid, as are all of his rulings historically. An appeal won't get very far.

ENGNR• 2 years ago

Requiring Chrome and the search widget to be uninstallable on Android in exchange for access to the GMail app is definitely a step too far, straight out of Microsoft's playbook.

At least Android allows sideloading apps though. We know that privacy permissions can be done correctly at the OS/Api level, even web browsers do it. It's crazy that Apple can be complicit in enabling Google's search monopoly and face no repercussions for it's app distribution monopoly.

justinclift• 2 years ago

For end users, I wonder what the most optimal outcome would be?

Perhaps breaking out just the search business into its own company, then having it classed as a utility and be treated as such?

ie its not allowed to screw with the results, can't inject ads into results, etc.

The truly-ad free search experience. :)

onecommentman• 2 years ago

It would be nice if the Library of Congress got a piece of the Internet search action. It’s a natural extension of their archival charter, and I’m guessing there would be less SEO nonsense junking up searches under LoC. Even if there was a month delay on content searches for political/competitive reasons, I’d use it when I just wanted a trustworthy answer to an issue of fact.

iml7• 2 years ago

I want Apple to be broken up.

jqpabc123• 2 years ago

"Don't be Evil" has devolved into "Ok, We're Evil! What did you expect?".

US Considers a Rare Antitrust Move: Breaking Up Google

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