Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) sent a letter to Google on Wednesday saying they intend to hold the company accountable if it tries to avoid court-ordered relief to remedy its monopoly position.
Lee and Gates sent the letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai after a federal court ruled that Google maintained a monopoly on search and text advertising and engaged in anticompetitive behavior to maintain its 90 percent market share in search.
Conservatives have argued that Google’s dominant position has led to “stifling” free speech and that the company’s “manipulation” of search results has prevented Americans from easily accessing information about the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
This repressive behavior has been evident in the past, as seen in this leaked video by Breitbart News published shortly after the 2016 election of President Trump, which shows the reaction inside Google headquarters and the company’s mission to make populism a point in history.
Leaked video shows Google executives expressing dismay over 2016 election
Similarly, before the 2020 election, Google suppressed Breitbart News from its search results. Read the full story here.
While the Department of Justice (DOJ) has said it is exploring a range of remedies to restore competition in the search market, Gaetz and Lee noted that the big tech platforms often ignore court rulings and settlements aimed at addressing anti-competitive conduct.
Whatever relief the court imposes, we will be watching closely to ensure Google complies with the law. The resolution of the Justice Department’s case comes at a tipping point where the rise of artificial intelligence has the potential to completely change the competitive dynamics of online search or even further solidify Google’s monopoly. Google continues to integrate its AI technology more deeply into its search results, placing AI “knowledge boxes” at the top of search results. Google’s desire to expand its dominance amid the emergence of AI-integrated search is a clear sign that the company is Incentives to avoid the behavioral requirements contained in court remedies.
We raise these concerns because big technology companies have a long and unfortunate history of ignoring court rulings and settlements aimed at remedying anti-competitive behavior. For example,Serious doubts have been raised about whether Apple is complying with a 2021 injunction requiring the company to increase competition in its app store. It’s disappointing to see Google following Apple’s lead in trying to skirt the law and avoid legal liability. [Emphasis added]
Gates and Lee’s letter to Google by Breitbart News On Scribd
Breitbart News reported that potential solutions to Google’s anti-competitive practices include banning it from paying other technology companies, such as Apple or Samsung, to use Google as its primary search engine, as well as forcing Google to withdraw from its Android mobile software operating system and Chrome internet browser.
Lee and Gates argued that it was a “mistake” to think that Google could “avoid potential antitrust remedies and maintain its monopoly.”
“In 2023 alone, Google’s parent company Alphabet spent nearly $15 million on lobbying, and Google’s former CEO Eric Schmidt has acknowledged that its close ties to the government have worked to Google’s advantage,” the conservative lawmakers continued. “Schmidt has even used his foundation to influence government policy and indirectly paid the salaries of Biden administration officials.”
Gates and Lee said they would hold Google accountable if it avoids court remedies for its monopoly.
“Assure you, Republicans in Congress are prepared to hold Google accountable if it fails to comply with its obligations under the court’s remedies,” they wrote. “If we see any attempt by Google to circumvent the court’s remedies, we will be vigilant in holding you accountable and pursuing whatever solutions are necessary to fully restore competition in online search.”
Sean Moran is a policy reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on Twitter. Sean Moran 3.
