A major legal battle unfolded on Monday as the U.S. government formally accused Alphabet’s Google of abusing its position as the dominant force in online search and leveraging artificial intelligence to maintain that control. During the opening of what could become a landmark antitrust case, Justice Department attorneys pushed for forceful action to dismantle what they described as Google’s harmful grip on the internet.
The lawsuit, which could redefine how billions of users interact with the web, seeks to impose tough restrictions on Google’s business practices. Federal prosecutors want a court order to break up parts of Google’s operations, including its Chrome browser, and implement measures to end its control over the search market.
“This is the moment to let Google—and other powerful players watching—know that violating competition laws carries serious consequences,” said Justice Department lawyer David Dahlquist in his opening remarks.
Prosecutors Push to Dismantle Google’s Online Empire
The government’s legal team aims to undo the exclusive contracts that have kept Google locked in as the default search engine on smartphones, tablets, and web browsers. These deals, they argue, have blocked competitors and given Google an unfair advantage that helped it build an unshakable monopoly.
Judge Amit Mehta, who is overseeing the case, has previously determined that these exclusive partnerships contributed significantly to Google’s dominance.
In addition to breaking up key assets, prosecutors want the court to anticipate the future evolution of search. Dahlquist emphasized that the rise of AI tools—like OpenAI’s ChatGPT—means regulators must act preemptively to ensure innovation doesn’t remain locked in Google’s orbit.
AI Partnerships Raise New Red Flags
Government attorneys raised concerns about how Google is embedding AI into its business to deepen user dependence on its services. In court documents, they revealed that Google agreed to pay Samsung vast monthly sums to pre-install its Gemini AI app on smartphones—a deal that could extend until 2028. While specific financial figures were withheld, Dahlquist described the payments as “immense.”
He added that AI not only strengthens Google’s products but also acts as a channel to direct users back into its search engine. Prosecutors fear this closed loop will make it nearly impossible for alternative platforms to compete.
Google Dismisses Case as Overreach
In response, Google’s legal team portrayed the government’s demands as unreasonable. Lead attorney John Schmidtlein said the Justice Department’s requests resembled a “wish list” designed by rivals who failed to innovate on their own.
Schmidtlein claimed that Google’s success came from superior technology—not anti-competitive tactics—and insisted that competitors were doing well without needing the government to intervene. He argued that the company’s artificial intelligence developments fall outside the case’s scope, which centers on search, not AI.
A day before the trial began, Google executive Lee-Anne Mulholland wrote in a blog post that the DOJ’s proposed remedies would undermine American innovation at a time when global competition in technology is intensifying.
Government Threatens Breakup if Remedies Fall Short
In addition to stopping exclusivity agreements, the Justice Department wants Google to give competitors access to its search results and consider spinning off the Android mobile operating system if other measures don’t restore fair competition.
Google, however, warned that ending its financial arrangements with hardware and software developers could backfire. The company said such payments help support free internet services—like Mozilla’s Firefox browser—which rely heavily on revenue from search deals.
To reinforce its defense, Google plans to call witnesses from Apple, Verizon, and Mozilla. Notably, Apple had earlier tried—and failed—to formally join the case, indicating how high the stakes are across the tech world.
Antitrust Crackdown Crosses Political Lines
This lawsuit is one of several actions in a broader campaign by U.S. regulators to rein in major technology firms. Launched under the Trump administration, the case has continued under President Biden, with officials in both parties backing the effort.
Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater attended the hearing to show unified support for the case across political administrations. “This lawsuit represents bipartisan commitment to restoring healthy competition in tech,” Dahlquist said.
Just days before the trial, the DOJ scored another victory by moving forward with a separate antitrust case against Google’s advertising business—an indication of growing regulatory momentum.
Meanwhile, Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, faces its own legal battle for allegedly monopolizing the social media market through its purchases of Instagram and WhatsApp.
Tech World Braces for Impact
The trial has attracted widespread attention in the technology industry, as companies await a decision that could reset the competitive landscape. OpenAI’s Nick Turley, who leads product development for ChatGPT, was scheduled to testify next—potentially adding fuel to the argument that Google’s presence in both AI and search poses a threat to emerging platforms.
If the government prevails, experts believe the ruling could lead to sweeping structural changes in how technology firms operate. It could even echo earlier cases that reshaped U.S. industry, such as the breakups of AT&T and Standard Oil.
A Turning Point for Digital Competition
At its heart, this legal clash is about control over how people access and discover information online. As AI becomes more deeply intertwined with search tools, regulators fear Google will lock users into its ecosystem in ways that are difficult for newer firms to challenge.
The final verdict, expected later this year, could become a landmark decision—one that sets the boundaries of Big Tech’s power and defines how artificial intelligence will evolve in the hands of corporate giants.
