Google Faces Fresh Scrutiny Over AI Tactics As Antitrust Hearing Opens In US Court
The US government has accused Google of using its artificial intelligence assistant Gemini to cement its dominance in online search, warning that such moves risk extending its monopoly into the future.
The opening of a major remedy hearing this week follows a court ruling in August 2024 that declared the company an illegal monopoly in search.
The Department of Justice (DOJ), supported by a coalition of state attorneys general, is now pushing for strict corrective actions.
Among them is a call for Google to sell its Chrome browser and potentially its Android operating system if other measures fail to open up the market.
Is Google Repeating Its Monopoly Playbook With Gemini?
DOJ attorney David Dahlquist told the court that Google’s agreements with Samsung to promote Gemini mirror past exclusionary tactics.
He said,
“Google has agreed with its partner, Samsung, to pay an enormous sum of money in a fixed monthly payment, as well as additional payments, activation bonuses, and ad-revenue payments. This is the monopolist playbook at work.”
He argued that Gemini’s rise—helped by these financial deals—mirrors the company's historic $20 billion deal with Apple to secure default search status on devices.
These contracts, the DOJ claims, are the core reason Google continues to dominate the online search market.
In January 2025, Gemini became the default assistant on Samsung’s latest smartphones.
Although Google had pledged last year not to tie Gemini promotion directly to access to Google’s services like Search, Chrome, or the Play Store, the DOJ says its current commercial arrangements still raise concerns.
DOJ Warns Against Ignoring AI’s Role In Market Power
Dahlquist urged the court to consider future market shifts, especially the overlap between generative AI and search.
He warned that Google’s existing dominance in search gives it a major advantage in AI products, stating,
“This court’s remedy should be forward-looking and not ignore what is on the horizon.”
The DOJ plans to bring in witnesses from Perplexity AI and OpenAI to demonstrate how Google’s power in search is already influencing the AI ecosystem, potentially limiting competition and innovation.
What Remedies Are On The Table?
The DOJ has outlined aggressive measures to address Google’s monopoly.
These include stopping the company from making exclusive deals to be the default search engine, which currently cost Google billions each year, notably in arrangements with Apple.
Another proposed remedy would force Google to license its search data to competitors and, if necessary, break up parts of its business.
If softer measures fail, Google may be forced to sell Android entirely to restore fair competition.
Google Pushes Back Against Proposed Break-Up
Google argues that its AI products, including Gemini, fall outside the scope of the current antitrust case, which centres on search.
In a blog post, Lee-Anne Mulholland, vice president of regulatory affairs at Google, called the DOJ’s proposals “unprecedented” and warned they would damage US innovation and harm consumers.
Google attorney John Schmidtlein added in court that the government's demands serve more as a “wishlist for competitors” than a real solution for consumers.
He said,
“AI competitors would like handouts as well even though they are competing just fine.”
A Rare Show Of Unity In Washington’s Fight Against Big Tech
The case continues a broader crackdown on major tech firms that began under the Trump administration.
Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater was in court this week, signalling bipartisan support for the DOJ’s approach.
Dahlquist highlighted that the remedies have “the full support of the DOJ both past and present.”
Just days earlier, Slater secured a separate victory in an antitrust case against Google’s advertising business, adding pressure on the tech giant as it navigates multiple legal battles.
Witnesses from Apple, Mozilla and Verizon are expected to testify later in the hearing, which is expected to run for three weeks.
Google has confirmed it will appeal any final decision it disagrees with.
Catherine
