Attorney General Mike Hilgers, along with a coalition of 52 state attorneys general and the U.S. Department of Justice, has proposed measures to dismantle Google's search engine monopoly and encourage competition for consumer benefit.
The Nebraska Department of Justice joined this effort in December 2020 by participating in a lawsuit that accused Google of maintaining its search engine dominance through anticompetitive agreements and practices. In August 2024, a federal district court judge found Google guilty of violating federal antitrust laws by sustaining an illegal monopoly in online search and advertising. The current proposal aims to address this ruling.
The proposed judgment seeks to terminate Google's monopoly and restore market competition through several key remedies:
- Default Deals: Google would be barred from paying to be the default search engine on devices such as phones, tablets, and web browsers.
- Anticompetitive Practices: Google would not be allowed to use its control over other products like Android to hinder competition or favor itself.
- Data Sharing: To enhance competition, Google must share data with certain competitors that it acquired unlawfully.
- Potential Divestiture: If non-compliance occurs or if remedies are ineffective, Google might have to divest significant platforms related to its search power, including Chrome and Android.
Additionally, the proposal suggests a public education campaign funded by Google to inform consumers about its past violations and promote alternative search engines. This could involve temporary financial incentives for users trying other services. A five-member technical committee would enforce these remedies for ten years.
A hearing on these proposals is set for April 22, 2025, lasting until May 2, 2025.
The plaintiff states include Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona, Iowa, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas Maine Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Dakota Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wyoming.
States collaborating with the U.S. Department of Justice comprise Arkansas California Georgia Florida Indiana Kentucky Louisiana Michigan Missouri Mississippi Montana South Carolina Texas Wisconsin.