In the ongoing antitrust trial against Alphabet Inc.'s Google, the U.S. government is set to lay out its case on Friday, highlighting accusations that the tech giant unlawfully maintained its dominance in search advertising.
The trial, presided over by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, has entered its crucial phase with closing arguments from both sides.
Throughout the trial, which commenced on September 12, the Justice Department has vigorously contended that Google wields monopolistic power and has illicitly exploited its position to enhance profits.
The government's allegations primarily revolves around Google's manipulation of the search advertising market.
During Thursday's proceedings, Judge Mehta probed both the prosecution and defense with pointed questions, seeking clarity on the intricacies of the case before reaching a verdict.
Key to the government's argument is that Google engaged in anti-competitive practices through its business contracts, thereby stifling competition in the realm of search advertising.
While Google contends that the search advertising remains competitive, the government contends that Google manipulated ad auctions to its advantage, allowing it to dictate prices without repercussions.
One focal point expected in Friday's proceedings is the government's accusation that Google intentionally destroyed internal documents pertinent to the case, an allegation Google vehemently denies.
In response, Google has defended its data preservation protocols as reasonable and has urged the court against penalizing the company.
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