US Proposes Measures to Limit Google after Monopoly Ruling
2024-11-28
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1The United States government has proposed a series of measures to limit Google from anti-competition business activities.
2The move comes after a federal judge ruled in August Google had violated trade laws by operating its search engine as an illegal monopoly.
3The ruling accused Google of paying smartphone makers to ensure that its search engine was set as the default system on new devices.
4The U.S. Justice Department brought the antitrust case against Google's parent company, Alphabet.
5Last week, the Justice Department issued a set of corrective guidelines for Google.
6Here is a look at the proposed measures as well as the government's case against the American tech giant.
7Justice Department officials say the main goal of the proposals is to get Google to stop using its highly popular search engine to illegally block competition and restrict innovation.
8The Department said Google's violations of U.S. trade law had given the company an unfair advantage in the online search business.
9It accuses Google of illegally gaining that advantage.
10Google has criticized the court's decision.
11The company's chief legal officer, Kent Walker, also condemned the Justice Department's corrective proposals.
12He called the guidelines "wildly overbroad" in an online statement.
13He added his opinion that the measures seek to go way beyond the court's ruling.
14Walker said the proposals "would break a range of Google products - even beyond search - that people love and find helpful in their everyday lives."
15The Justice Department proposed a series of measures to limit Google from blocking competition from other search engine providers.
16The main proposal is a ban on Google from signing deals - worth billions of dollars - to lock its search engine as the default system on Apple's iPhone and other popular devices.
17This measure could result in reduced profits for companies that sign such deals.
18Other proposed measures include a ban on Google from using search results to favor its own services, such as YouTube or its artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Gemini.
19Another would force Google to license its search data to competitors.
20In addition, the Justice Department is seeking to require Google to be more open about how it sets the prices advertisers must pay to be listed near the top of some targeted search results.
21Another proposal would give publishers, websites and content creators the right to request that their data not be included in Google's search results or be used to train the company's AI models.
22Google will also have the chance to propose its own list of fixes to the court.
23After that, federal regulators will create a new version of the proposals in early March.
24Court hearings on the proposed measures are set to begin in April and the judge is expected to issue a final decision before September 2025.
25The trial to rule on the final proposals will take place after President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
26Trump has made comments suggesting a breakup of Google is not in the U.S. national interest.
27However, some recent nominations put forward by Trump's transition team have favored those who have been critical of big technology companies.
28And since the case was brought during Trump's first term, it is likely to move forward.
29But before the final trial begins, Google is expected to appeal the case.
30Experts say this may mean the case could stretch out for years in the courts.
31I'm Bryan Lynn.
1The United States government has proposed a series of measures to limit Google from anti-competition business activities. The move comes after a federal judge ruled in August Google had violated trade laws by operating its search engine as an illegal monopoly. 2The ruling accused Google of paying smartphone makers to ensure that its search engine was set as the default system on new devices. The U.S. Justice Department brought the antitrust case against Google's parent company, Alphabet. 3Last week, the Justice Department issued a set of corrective guidelines for Google. Here is a look at the proposed measures as well as the government's case against the American tech giant. 4What is the Justice Department's goal? 5Justice Department officials say the main goal of the proposals is to get Google to stop using its highly popular search engine to illegally block competition and restrict innovation. 6The Department said Google's violations of U.S. trade law had given the company an unfair advantage in the online search business. It accuses Google of illegally gaining that advantage. 7Google has criticized the court's decision. The company's chief legal officer, Kent Walker, also condemned the Justice Department's corrective proposals. He called the guidelines "wildly overbroad" in an online statement. He added his opinion that the measures seek to go way beyond the court's ruling. 8Walker said the proposals "would break a range of Google products - even beyond search - that people love and find helpful in their everyday lives." 9What are some of the Justice Department's proposals? 10The Justice Department proposed a series of measures to limit Google from blocking competition from other search engine providers. 11The main proposal is a ban on Google from signing deals - worth billions of dollars - to lock its search engine as the default system on Apple's iPhone and other popular devices. This measure could result in reduced profits for companies that sign such deals. 12Other proposed measures include a ban on Google from using search results to favor its own services, such as YouTube or its artificial intelligence (AI) tool, Gemini. Another would force Google to license its search data to competitors. 13In addition, the Justice Department is seeking to require Google to be more open about how it sets the prices advertisers must pay to be listed near the top of some targeted search results. 14Another proposal would give publishers, websites and content creators the right to request that their data not be included in Google's search results or be used to train the company's AI models. 15What comes next in the case? 16Google will also have the chance to propose its own list of fixes to the court. After that, federal regulators will create a new version of the proposals in early March. Court hearings on the proposed measures are set to begin in April and the judge is expected to issue a final decision before September 2025. 17The trial to rule on the final proposals will take place after President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump has made comments suggesting a breakup of Google is not in the U.S. national interest. 18However, some recent nominations put forward by Trump's transition team have favored those who have been critical of big technology companies. And since the case was brought during Trump's first term, it is likely to move forward. 19But before the final trial begins, Google is expected to appeal the case. Experts say this may mean the case could stretch out for years in the courts. 20I'm Bryan Lynn. 21The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English. 22__________________________________________ 23Words in This Story 24monopoly - n. complete control of the entire supply of goods or of a service in a certain area or market 25default - n. what exists or usually happens if no changes are made 26innovation - n. the act or process of introducing new ideas, devices or methods 27advantage - n. a condition that provides a greater chance of success 28range - n. 29license - v. 30regulate - v. to bring something under government control 31transition - n. a change from one system or administration to another