(RightWing.org) – The Department of Justice just punched back at big tech, launching the most compelling government action against a technology company in decades. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) called it the most significant act of its kind “in a generation.”
The Department of Justice announced it filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Google on October 20. The suit aims to halt Google’s unlawful business practices used to throttle competition in online search and search advertising markets. Eleven state attorneys general signed on as plaintiffs in the suit so far.
“Today, millions of Americans rely on the Internet and online platforms…Competition in this industry is vitally important, which is why today’s challenge against Google…for violating antitrust laws is a monumental case both for the DOJ and for the American people.” — AG Barr pic.twitter.com/CG8UKXDtZo
— Justice Department (@TheJusticeDept) October 20, 2020
The noose also appears to be tightening on Google elsewhere with New York’s Democratic attorney general Letitia James announcing the same day that her office would continue its bipartisan antitrust investigation into Google along with the attorneys general of six other states.
The Trump administration has increasingly pushed back against high tech companies with the president even signing an executive order targeting social media companies this past May. Observers speculated this lawsuit against Google could mark the beginning of a broader effort to rein in big tech companies in the coming weeks and months.
This story is sure to have some interesting developments along the way. We’ll keep you posted.
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