US government says Google pays $10bn per year to maintain market dominance

Lawyers have presented opening arguments in a landmark antitrust case against the search engine Google, which could test the limits of corporate power in the United States.

Lawyers have presented opening arguments in a landmark antitrust case against the search engine Google, which could test the limits of corporate power in the United States.

On Tuesday, in a crowded federal courthouse in Washington, DC, the US Justice Department argued that Google uses its wealth and influence to stifle competition and maintain its dominance as the most popular search engine. Google countered that internet users rely on the search engine because of its quality.

“Google pays more than $10bn per year for these privileged positions,’’ said Kenneth Dintzer, the Justice Department’s lead litigator.

“Google’s contracts ensure that rivals cannot match the search quality ad monetisation, especially on phones,” he added. “Through this feedback loop, this wheel has been turning for more than 12 years. It always turns to Google’s advantage.”

The opening statements mark the beginning of one of the most consequential antitrust cases in decades.