Oct. 20, 2020 – The Justice Department sues Google alleging that it illegally monopolized the online search and related advertising markets, the first time in a generation that the U.S. government accused a Big Tech corporation of an illegal monopoly. Sept. 12, 2023 – Google defends its practices at a trial before U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, saying it had won its market share by providing a high-quality service.
Nov. 16, 2023 – The trial’s evidence phase concludes, after Google CEO Sundar Pichai took the stand and acknowledged the importance of making its search engine the default on phones and other devices.
May 2-3, 2024 – Mehta hears closing arguments in the case, pressing Google on how rival search engines could compete, and whether online advertisers would substitute social media or other ads for search advertising.
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Aug. 5, 2024 – The judge finds Google violated U.S. antitrust law, saying that “Google has no true competitor.”
Oct. 8 – Prosecutors to file a broad framework for what remedies the case could include.
Nov. 20 – Prosecutors will file a proposed order in the case, outlining the exact remedies they seek.
Dec. 20 – Google will have a chance to propose its own remedies.
April 22, 2025 – Mehta will hold a two-week trial on what remedies are appropriate in the case.
August 2025 – Mehta has said he aims to issue a remedies ruling by late summer.
September 2025 – Google has said it plans to appeal – it will have 30 days from the final judgment in the case to begin the process. The appeal could stretch into 2027 or later.
