In the ongoing legal battle over Google’s dominance in online search, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta is contemplating less stringent remedies than those proposed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and several states. During closing arguments, Judge Mehta emphasized the rapidly evolving tech landscape, suggesting that a decade-long regulatory regime might be excessive. He proposed that measures such as limiting Google’s payments to be the default search provider on devices and restricting data sharing could be implemented only if competition remains insufficient.
The DOJ has argued that without intervention, Google’s stronghold in online search will hinder competition, especially in emerging technologies. Proposed antitrust measures include Google sharing search data and ceasing substantial payments to companies like Apple to remain the default search engine on devices.
Judge Mehta also addressed the challenges of regulating emerging technologies, questioning whether companies like OpenAI and Perplexity should be considered direct competitors in the search engine market. He noted that the rise of artificial intelligence products could potentially replace traditional search engines, indicating a shift in how users seek information online.
A final ruling in this landmark case is anticipated by August 2025, which could significantly impact the future of online search and competition in the tech industry.