After a federal judge ruled that Google is an illegal monopoly, longtime rivals like Yelp and DuckDuckGo expressed cautious optimism. The ruling marked a significant victory for these companies, but they recognize that the work of restoring competition has only just begun.
As the case enters the remedies phase, Google’s competitors are pushing for changes they believe will help their businesses. Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman emphasized the importance of a “strong remedy,” referencing the upcoming trial phase that will kick off in September.
DuckDuckGo and Yelp have proposed various remedies, including:
These proposals aim to address the concerns of Google’s competitors and promote a more competitive market. However, the outcome of the remedies phase remains uncertain, and the process could be drawn out.
As the case unfolds, the specter of artificial intelligence looms over the proceedings, threatening to make moot any proposed solution that doesn’t account for the changing business model of search. The Department of Justice’s antitrust chief, Jonathan Kanter, has indicated that the department will pursue forward-looking remedies that address issues like AI.
Ultimately, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching consequences for the tech industry, spurring a new era of innovation and competition. As Yelp’s Stoppelman wrote, “It’s exciting to imagine the new technologies and innovation we’ll see emerge as a result of this ruling over the next decade and beyond.”