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antitrust

‘No Default, No Revenue Share:’ Google Antitrust Trial Puts Pressure Tactics in the Spotlight

September 26, 2023 by Lucas Nolan Leave a Comment

The ongoing landmark antitrust trial against Google is shedding light on the internet giant’s relentless effort to dominate online search, revealing the company’s strategic maneuvers and exclusive deals with major partners like Apple and Samsung to secure its position as the default search engine on a global scale.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Google, the tech giant that facilitates approximately 90 percent of all online searches, has been under the microscope, thanks to the ongoing antitrust trial against the company. The Justice Department alleges that Google has maintained this position through illegal, restrictive agreements, providing a rare glimpse into the intricate web of partnerships and negotiations that have underpinned Google’s rise to prominence.

Sundar Pichai CEO of Google ( Carsten Koall /Getty)

The trial has exposed how Google leveraged its advantage in conversations with Apple, a key partner, to ensure its search engine remained the default choice on most smartphones worldwide. Back in 2005, Google proposed a lucrative deal to Apple, offering a portion of advertising revenue to make its search engine the default choice on desktop computers. This move was pivotal, considering Google’s search engine supports an advertising business that raked in $162 billion last year, constituting a significant portion of the revenue at its parent company.

In an instance revealed at the trial, Apple, seeking to present users with several options for the default search engine, was met with a stern response from Google, stating, “No default—no revenue share.” This hardball tactic led Apple to abandon the idea, a decision that has not been revisited since, according to DOJ lead trial attorney Kenneth Dintzer.

The revelations extend beyond Apple, touching upon Google’s interactions with Samsung. The trial highlighted how Google influenced Samsung’s design tweaks related to default search engines, ensuring users found it challenging to switch away from Google’s search engine. When Samsung’s design modifications made it easier for users to change default search engines, Google, alleging a violation of their agreement, compelled Samsung to roll back the changes.

The trial also underscored the impact of Google’s default agreements on other search engine providers. Gabriel Weinberg, CEO of DuckDuckGo, testified that these agreements effectively blocked his company’s ability to gain market share, emphasizing the challenges faced by competitors in a landscape dominated by Google.

Read more at the Wall Street Journal here.

Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering issues of free speech and online censorship.

Filed Under: antitrust, Breitbart, DOJ, Economy, Google, Masters of the Universe, monopoly, News, Politics, Tech

Google Antitrust Trial: Here’s Where to Find the Internal Documents Silicon Valley Wants Buried

September 23, 2023 by Allum Bokhari Leave a Comment

Earlier this week, Google succeeded in restricting the distribution of certain internal documents revealed through U.S. v. Google, the landmark antitrust trial against the tech giant. But the documents are still available in various places online — this article will explain how to find them.

It is not surprising that Google is touchy about the disclosure of its internal communications. The tech giant has faced massive, embarrassing leaks in the past, including the Google Tape, The Good Censor, and YouTube’s search blacklists, all obtained published by Breitbart News. A lawsuit brought against Google by former employees also revealed a widespread atmosphere of bigotry and intolerance towards white male employees inside the company.

To minimize the damage in U.S. v. Google, the tech giant this week asked district judge Amit Mehta, responding to complaints from Google, reprimanded the Department of Justice for posting exhibits from the trial without notifying him. In response, the DoJ took down the documents, which contain a number of internal communications from Google, from its website.

But the takedown did not happen before copies of the files had been backed up and saved elsewhere. They can currently be found in two places:

The files include several internal email chains from Google, a number of internal presentations, and Google’s internal research on its products.

Since the documents were disclosed through a public trial, they are not confidential. Through its complaints to the judge, Google merely succeeded in preventing the Department of Justice from publicizing them, not removing them from public access altogether.

Allum Bokhari is the senior technology correspondent at Breitbart News. He is the author of #DELETED: Big Tech’s Battle to Erase the Trump Movement and Steal The Election. Follow him on Twitter @AllumBokhari. 

Filed Under: antitrust, Breitbart, DOJ, Economy, Google, Masters of the Universe, monopoly, News, Politics, Tech

Google Antitrust Trial: DuckDuckGo Founder Claims Internet Giant Stifles Competition Through Exclusive Deals

September 22, 2023 by Lucas Nolan Leave a Comment

In the ongoing antitrust trial against Google, Gabriel Weinberg, the founder of search engine DuckDuckGo, testified about the substantial barriers his company faces in competing with the internet giant. Weinberg attributed these challenges to Google’s exclusive deals with phone companies and equipment manufacturers to be the default search option on devices.

Fortune reports that Gabriel Weinberg, the mind behind search engine and Google competitor DuckDuckGo, took the stand in what is being termed as the most significant antitrust trial in a quarter-century. Weinberg gave the courtroom insight into the competitive landscape of search engines, emphasizing the formidable challenges smaller companies face due to Google’s extensive contracts and partnerships with phone manufacturers and service providers.

DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg

DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg (Alex Wong/Getty)

Sundar Pichai CEO of Google ( Carsten Koall /Getty)

“We hit an obstacle with Google’s contracts,” Weinberg stated, highlighting the difficulties encountered by DuckDuckGo in carving out a market presence. The DOJ is arguing that Google’s approach to securing its position as the default search engine on devices, through lucrative deals with companies like Apple and Verizon, has effectively smothered competition, leaving users with limited choices.

Google, on the other hand, maintains that its dominance in the search engine market is a direct result of the superior quality of its product. The tech giant argues that users have the flexibility to switch to rival search engines with just a few clicks, should they wish to do so. However, Weinberg countered this claim by illustrating the complexity of the process required for users to switch from Google, which involves 30 to 50 steps to change defaults on all their devices.

Founded in 2008, DuckDuckGo has positioned itself as a search engine that prioritizes user privacy, promising not to track user searches or locations. “People don’t like ads that follow them around,” Weinberg asserted, emphasizing the growing concern among users regarding privacy. Despite its commitment to privacy and its utilization of contextual advertising, DuckDuckGo still only handles a mere 2.5 percent of U.S. search queries, a testament to the overwhelming market presence of Google.

However, DuckDuckGo has proven to be less than an ideal choice even when compared to Google. Breitbart News previously reported that DuckDuckGo has been “down-ranking” sites associated with “disinformation” and adding “information boxes” to highlight quality information. This move received backlash from supporters who viewed it as adopting censorship policies. Weinberg, addressing the decision on Twitter, stated it was an effort to reduce Russian disinformation online, especially in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “At DuckDuckGo, we’ve been rolling out search updates that down-rank sites associated with Russian disinformation,” Weinberg declared.

He further explained that DuckDuckGo would be placing news modules and information boxes at the top of certain search results to highlight quality information for rapidly unfolding topics. This approach mirrors methods used by many search engines and social media sites during the coronavirus pandemic to push official government narratives and information to internet users.

Weinberg responded to the criticism by emphasizing that the core mission of DuckDuckGo is to provide users with privacy and to show more relevant content over less relevant content. “The whole point of DuckDuckGo is privacy. The whole point of the search engine is to show more relevant content over less relevant content, and that is what we continue to do,” he affirmed.

Read more at Fortune here.

Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering issues of free speech and online censorship.

Filed Under: antitrust, Breitbart, DOJ, DuckDuckGo, Economy, Google, Masters of the Universe, monopoly, News, Politics, Tech

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The RedState Interview: Lindell Explains How Amex Cut His Credit Limit

September 28, 2023 | Neil W. McCabe | Leave a Comment

The founder and CEO of Chanhassen, Minn.-based MyPillow told RedState the behind-the-scenes details of how American Express kneecapped his business … Read More... about The RedState Interview: Lindell Explains How Amex Cut His Credit Limit

Hunter Biden Referred to Selling Access to Joe Biden as ‘Keys’ to ‘My Family’s Only Asset’

September 28, 2023 | Wendell Husebo | Leave a Comment

Hunter Biden referenced selling access to President Joe Biden as “the keys” to “my family’s only asset,” according to messages from Hunter Biden’s … Read More... about Hunter Biden Referred to Selling Access to Joe Biden as ‘Keys’ to ‘My Family’s Only Asset’

Trump Campaign to RNC After 2nd Fox Debate Goes Haywire: End the Debates, Save Resources for Beating Biden

September 27, 2023 | Hannah Bleau | Leave a Comment

The Trump campaign on Wednesday urged the Republican National Committee (RNC) to end the debates and save resources to defeat President Joe Biden, … Read More... about Trump Campaign to RNC After 2nd Fox Debate Goes Haywire: End the Debates, Save Resources for Beating Biden

Haley: Trump Didn’t Hold China Accountable for COVID, Fentanyl, Cuban Spy Base and Didn’t Stop Land Buys

September 27, 2023 | Ian Hanchett | Leave a Comment

On Wednesday’s broadcast of the Fox News Channel’s “Hannity,” 2024 GOP presidential candidate former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley stated that while … Read More... about Haley: Trump Didn’t Hold China Accountable for COVID, Fentanyl, Cuban Spy Base and Didn’t Stop Land Buys

‘Pointless Screaming Match’: Politicos Rip Chaos-Packed GOP Primary Debate

September 27, 2023 | Nick Gilbertson | Leave a Comment

Politicos from all persuasions found fault with the Republican presidential debate on Wednesday night hosted by Fox News, which devolved into chaos at … Read More... about ‘Pointless Screaming Match’: Politicos Rip Chaos-Packed GOP Primary Debate

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Fox News Picks Univision Host to Push Amnesty in GOP Debate

September 27, 2023 | Neil Munro | Leave a Comment

Fox News’s top executives chose a Colombian-born anchor to host the GOP primary debate and to tout … Read More... about Fox News Picks Univision Host to Push Amnesty in GOP Debate

Trump in Michigan: ‘Only Time Biden Has Gotten His Hands Dirty Is When He’s Taking Cash from Foreign Countries’

September 27, 2023 | John Binder | Leave a Comment

Former President Donald Trump took a swipe at President Joe Biden while speaking to autoworkers in … Read More... about Trump in Michigan: ‘Only Time Biden Has Gotten His Hands Dirty Is When He’s Taking Cash from Foreign Countries’

‘Unwatchable’: Viewers Blast RNC, Fox for Including Univision in Debate

September 27, 2023 | Hannah Bleau | Leave a Comment

Viewers of the second Republican National Committee (RNC) debate blasted the RNC as well as Fox News … Read More... about ‘Unwatchable’: Viewers Blast RNC, Fox for Including Univision in Debate

‘Donald Duck’: Trump, who skipped 2nd GOP presidential primary debate, targeted by competitors

September 27, 2023 | Alex Nitzberg | Leave a Comment

Seven Republican presidential hopefuls gathered at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi … Read More... about ‘Donald Duck’: Trump, who skipped 2nd GOP presidential primary debate, targeted by competitors

Former President Trump Rallies in Detroit, Rails Against Automakers, Democrats, and Biden

September 27, 2023 | Susie Moore | Leave a Comment

While his GOP competitors were holding a debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, … Read More... about Former President Trump Rallies in Detroit, Rails Against Automakers, Democrats, and Biden

Fact Check: Chris Christie Claims ‘Donald Duck’ Skipped Debate Because He is Afraid, Not Because He is Leading Polls

September 27, 2023 | Wendell Husebo | Leave a Comment

CLAIM: Republican primary presidential candidate Chris Christie claimed former President Donald … Read More... about Fact Check: Chris Christie Claims ‘Donald Duck’ Skipped Debate Because He is Afraid, Not Because He is Leading Polls

The Apprentice: GOP Primary Edition – Trump Slams Opponents as ‘Job Candidates’

September 27, 2023 | Nick Gilbertson | Leave a Comment

Former President Donald Trump bashed his Republican primary opponents on Wednesday while speaking to … Read More... about The Apprentice: GOP Primary Edition – Trump Slams Opponents as ‘Job Candidates’

High school French teacher under investigation over viral video of ‘hate speech’ against food vendor in California

September 27, 2023 | Carlos Garcia | Leave a Comment

A high school French teacher is under investigation after a viral video showed him yelling at a food … Read More... about High school French teacher under investigation over viral video of ‘hate speech’ against food vendor in California

Doug Burgum: Auto Workers Are Striking Against Biden’s Green Agenda

September 27, 2023 | John Binder | Leave a Comment

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) defended auto workers at the Republican presidential primary … Read More... about Doug Burgum: Auto Workers Are Striking Against Biden’s Green Agenda

Vivek Ramaswamy Calls for an End to Birthright Citizenship 

September 27, 2023 | Jordan Dixon-Hamilton | Leave a Comment

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy called for an end to “birthright citizenship for … Read More... about Vivek Ramaswamy Calls for an End to Birthright Citizenship 

Univision Anchor Opens 2nd GOP Presidential Primary Debate in Spanish

September 27, 2023 | Amy Furr | Leave a Comment

A Noticias Univision anchor helped open the second Republican Presidential Primary debate on … Read More... about Univision Anchor Opens 2nd GOP Presidential Primary Debate in Spanish

Senate Passes ‘SHORTS’ Resolution; John Fetterman Must Wear Pants

September 27, 2023 | Joel B. Pollak | Leave a Comment

The U.S. Senate achieved a rare bipartisan milestone Wednesday when it passed the “SHow Our Respect … Read More... about Senate Passes ‘SHORTS’ Resolution; John Fetterman Must Wear Pants

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