DOJ's Gupta: Google Lawsuit Remains ‘Major Priority’

DOJ’s lawsuit against Google for “monopolizing search" and search ad markets remains a "major priority,” Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said Tuesday. The No. 3 Justice official spoke at a Georgetown Law antitrust symposium. She said DOJ’s complaint focuses on how Google’s “anti-competitive conduct has harmed competition, similar to how Microsoft did decades ago in favoring Internet Explorer and locking out Netscape.” She referenced how Google’s “anti-competitive conduct has affected a huge range of consumer choices.” DOJ will continue scrutinizing acquisitions involving “dominant firms and would-be rivals,” she said, noting the control that few digital platforms have over communications. She welcomed congressional interest in “providing new tools and resources for antitrust enforcement.” Powerful companies too often “exploit consumers and tilt the playing field in favor of the already powerful,” she said. Google didn't comment Wednesday.