A federal judge ruled on Monday that Google has a monopoly over general search engine services, siding with the Justice Department and more than two dozen states that sued the tech company, alleging antitrust violations.
U.S. District of Columbia Judge Amit Mehta said that Google violated antitrust laws through its efforts to be the default search engine on cell phones and web browsers and controlling general search text advertisements. Google has denied the allegations, arguing that it has just engaged in standard business practices.
“After having carefully considered and weighed the witness testimony and evidence, the court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly,” Mehta wrote in a 276-page decision.
“Specifically, the court holds that (1) there are relevant product markets for general search services and general search text ads; (2) Google has monopoly power in those markets; (3) Google’s distribution…