Google search antitrust trial updates: Everything you need to know (so far)

Google is on trial for allegedly using underhand tactics to ensure it stays the world’s leading search engine. Search engine users do not have a choice, says DuckDuckGo (Sept. 21)CEO of the privacy-focused search engine and internet browser company, Gabriel Weinberg, testified that his company had attempted to negotiate deals to become the default search engine on some products. If a competitor avoids entering the market altogether due to Google’s default search engine agreements, it would be a straightforward anticompetitive effect of Google’s default search engine deals. Higgins also testified that Verizon didn’t seek bids from other search providers during the recent renegotiation of the default search engine deal with Google. This is an argument the department can’t use against Google’s search engine itself, as it’s a free product for users.