US judge considers softer antitrust measures against Google

A US federal judge is considering less stringent remedies against Google in an antitrust case over its dominance in online search and advertising.

US District Judge Amit Mehta is reviewing alternatives to the decade-long measures proposed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and several states.

During a hearing, Judge Mehta suggested options like limited data sharing and conditional halting of Google’s payments to Apple and other smartphone makers for default search engine placements.

He also noted the changing influence of AI on online search competition.

The DOJ argues that Google’s monopoly gives it an edge in developing AI products such as Gemini.

Google’s legal team countered that sharing its search data with AI competitors would be inequitable, citing years of investment in its technology.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ The transatlantic divide in tech antitrust enforcement shapes Google’s future

The Google case highlights the ongoing disparity between EU and US approaches to antitrust enforcement, with Judge Mehta now suggesting a more moderate remedy than what regulators proposed.

While the EU swiftly imposed a €2.42 billion fine on Google in 2017 for favoring its own comparison shopping service in search results, followed by another €1.49 billion penalty in 2019 for online advertising abuses, the US has moved more cautiously 1 2.

This transatlantic gap stems from fundamental philosophical differences: the US historically prioritizes consumer welfare (often measured by price effects), while the EU takes a more interventionist approach focused on maintaining market structures regardless of immediate consumer impact 3.

Judge Mehta’s suggestion of contingent remedies rather than immediate structural changes reflects the continued American preference for more restrained intervention, even as the US moves toward stronger enforcement against tech giants.

The concern about proportionality expressed in court—questioning whether it’s appropriate to force Google to share technology with already-successful AI companies—echoes longstanding US antitrust principles that are more tolerant of market dominance achieved through superior products.

2️⃣ AI search is transforming competitive dynamics beyond traditional search engines

Judge Mehta’s observation that “maybe people don’t want 10 blue links anymore” recognizes the fundamental shift occurring in search technology, where competition is coming from AI-native platforms rather than traditional search engines.