Google Faces Landmark Antitrust Decision in Battle for Search Engine Dominance

In a landmark ruling, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta branded Google as a monopolist, raising questions about the future of internet search alternatives. The case, which could take years to resolve, highlights Google's anticompetitive tactics and lucrative default search deals with major players like Apple.

Technological upheaval, particularly advances in artificial intelligence, may outpace the legal process. AI-driven products like OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini are poised to reshape online navigation before a resolution is reached in the nearly four-year-old case initiated by the U.S. Justice Department.

Google faces potential legal constraints, reminiscent of Microsoft's antitrust battles in the 1990s. The debate over how to overhaul Google's practices will begin on Sept. 6 in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, Google plans to appeal, maintaining that its search engine's superiority isn't due to unfair practices but consumer choice.

(With inputs from agencies.)