Highlights
1. Google’s antitrust trial with the Justice Department has revealed important details about their business practices, including exclusive deals with companies like Apple and making it difficult for users to switch search engines.
2. The trial is being kept private, with certain information redacted and some parts closed off from the public and reporters.
3. Judge Amit Mehta has honored requests to redact information, potentially preventing harmful details about Google’s operations from being made public.
4. Certain publications, like The New York Times, are advocating for quicker public access to trial testimony but have yet to receive it.
Google’s Antitrust Trial: Important Details Kept Private
Since September, Google has been facing an antitrust trial with the Justice Department. However, much of the trial’s information is being kept private. Nonetheless, some details have come to light regarding Google’s request for employees to avoid certain words that may make them seem like monopolists. The trial has also shed some light on Google’s exclusive deals with companies like Apple, where Google pays billions annually to remain the default search engine on Apple products.
Multiple competitors have testified that Google makes it difficult for users to switch to a different search engine. Without this trial, the public would likely be unaware of Google’s alleged monopolistic practices. However, there is still a significant amount of undisclosed information. The trial is shrouded in secrecy, with Judge Amit Mehta honoring requests from Google and other involved companies to redact specific information. This prevents harmful details about Google’s operations from reaching consumers.
Additionally, some parts of the trial have been closed off from the public and reporters. This decision has been met with criticism due to the trial’s significance. Certain publications, including The New York Times, are advocating for not only public access but quicker access to trial testimony. However, it remains to be seen whether this will be granted. The trial is currently in Google’s defense phase and is slated to conclude by November 10. If quicker public access is granted, it may come after the most crucial testimony has already been kept behind closed doors.
