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A US federal judge has ruled that Google is a “monopolist” and violated antitrust law, in a landmark win for the Department of Justice as it seeks to rein in Big Tech’s market power.
Google illegally maintained a monopoly in search services and text advertising through the use of exclusive distribution agreements with the likes of Apple, Amit Mehta, the judge who presided over the case, found on Monday.
The ruling follows a weeks-long trial in which the DoJ argued the search giant paid tens of billions of dollars for anti-competitive deals with wireless carriers, browser developers and device manufacturers. Google argued that it did face fierce competition in the sector and its success was driven by the quality of its products.
The ruling can be appealed. Google and the DoJ did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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