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Google search monopoly case enters appeals phase

Google search monopoly case enters appeals phase

Rule Changes

Both sides appeal landmark antitrust remedies, setting up years-long fight over search defaults, data sharing, and Chrome's future

February 3rd, 2026: DOJ and States File Cross-Appeal

Overview

Google has paid Apple roughly $20 billion per year to be the default search engine on iPhones and Safari. In August 2024, a federal judge ruled this arrangement—and similar deals with Samsung and others—constituted an illegal monopoly. Now both sides are appealing: the Department of Justice wants Google broken up, while Google wants the entire case thrown out.

The stakes extend beyond search. As AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Perplexity begin to replace traditional search queries, whoever controls the default AI assistant on billions of devices may inherit Google's dominance. The remedies ordered—data sharing with competitors, a ban on exclusive default deals, and six years of oversight—could reshape how users find information online for decades.

Play on this story Voices Debate Predict

Key Indicators

$20B
Annual default payments
What Google pays Apple each year to remain the default search engine on Safari and iPhones
90%
Google search market share
Google's share of global search queries, down slightly from historic highs but still dominant
6 years
Oversight period
Duration of court-ordered Technical Committee monitoring of Google's compliance
35
States in coalition
Bipartisan group of state attorneys general pursuing harsher remedies on appeal

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

October 2020 February 2026

15 events Latest: February 3rd, 2026 · 4 months ago Showing 8 of 15
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Remedies Trial Concludes

    Trial

    Final arguments presented; Google warns proposed remedies would require diverting 1,000-2,000 employees from search development.

  2. Remedies Trial Opens

    Trial

    Three-week evidentiary hearing begins with testimony from Google CEO Sundar Pichai, search head Liz Reid, and executives from competitors including DuckDuckGo and OpenAI.

  3. Kanter Steps Down

    Personnel

    DOJ Antitrust Division chief Jonathan Kanter announces resignation effective December 20, leaving case leadership in transition.

  4. $20 Billion Payment Revealed

    Disclosure

    Court documents reveal Google paid Apple $20 billion in 2022 alone to maintain default search status on Safari and iOS devices.

  5. Liability Trial Begins

    Trial

    Ten-week trial opens in Washington D.C. with testimony from Google executives, Apple representatives, and search competitors.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

May 1998 - November 2001

United States v. Microsoft (1998-2001)

The DOJ and 20 states sued Microsoft for bundling Internet Explorer with Windows to crush Netscape Navigator. Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson found Microsoft liable and ordered the company broken into two pieces—one for Windows, one for applications. Microsoft controlled 95% of the PC operating system market.

Then

The D.C. Circuit upheld the liability finding but overturned the breakup order in 2001, finding Jackson had shown bias. A consent decree imposed behavioral remedies including API sharing requirements.

Now

Microsoft avoided structural breakup but was constrained during the critical 2001-2011 period when Google, Facebook, and mobile platforms emerged. Many analysts credit the antitrust pressure with preventing Microsoft from dominating web search and social media.

Why this matters now

The Microsoft case provides the closest template for Google's appeal. The D.C. Circuit's 2001 decision—affirming liability while rejecting divestiture—may influence how judges evaluate structural versus behavioral remedies for tech monopolies.

November 1974 - January 1984

AT&T Breakup (1974-1984)

The DOJ sued AT&T, which controlled 80% of U.S. telephone lines, over anticompetitive practices in equipment manufacturing and long-distance service. After eight years of litigation, AT&T agreed to divest its 22 local operating companies, creating seven independent 'Baby Bells' while retaining long-distance service and Bell Labs.

Then

The January 1984 divestiture reduced AT&T's book value by 70%. Local phone service remained regulated monopolies while long-distance became competitive.

Now

Competition in long-distance drove prices down dramatically. Sprint and MCI emerged as viable competitors. The Baby Bells later reconsolidated through mergers, with Verizon and AT&T (reformed from SBC) now dominant.

Why this matters now

AT&T remains the only successful structural breakup of a major technology monopoly. DOJ's Chrome divestiture proposal echoes this approach, though Judge Mehta rejected it as too complex given Chrome's integration with Google's systems.

November 2010 - June 2017

EU Google Shopping Case (2017)

The European Commission fined Google €2.42 billion for favoring its own shopping comparison service in search results over competitors like Foundem and Kelkoo. The Commission found Google abused its search dominance to direct traffic to Google Shopping.

Then

Google paid the fine and implemented a remedy allowing competing shopping services to bid for placement in search results.

Now

Critics argue the remedy was ineffective—Google Shopping retained dominant market share while competitors saw minimal benefit from the auction system. The EU has since pursued additional Google cases involving Android and advertising.

Why this matters now

The EU case illustrates the challenge of behavioral remedies against platform monopolies. The DOJ's appeal argues Mehta's data-sharing remedy risks similar ineffectiveness without structural changes like Chrome divestiture.

Sources

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