On Monday, August 5, 2024, a federal judge ruled that Google’s search engine had violated the Sherman Antitrust Act. This gave a victory to 14 different states, including Arkansas and the U.S. Department of Justice, who had sued Google for overextending its rights.
During this trial, it was ruled that Google had violated antitrust laws when it entered exclusionary contracts. This made Google the default and exclusive search engine for browsers, mobile devices, and wireless carriers in exchange for a portion of the revenue generated from the placement the contract put them in. The judge still has yet to determine the penalties Google will experience to make the search engine marketplace more competitive.
On August 6, 2024, Attorney General Tim Griffin stated, ” This victory holds Google accountable for its anticompetitive acts that resulted in a stranglehold on online search markets. This ruling is a win for Arkansans and should send a message to all businesses that unlawful and unfair practices will not be tolerated. I will continue to push forward to seek injunctive relief that benefits Arkansans and provides space for competition among internet search engines.”
