DOJ’s Google break-up remedy is ‘unusual’: Fmr. FTC commissioner

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has proposed several “behavioral and structural remedies” that could break up segments of Google’s (GOOG, GOOGL) search business, which was ruled to be monopolistic by a federal judge in August.

To shed light on the implications this could have for Google, former Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Mozelle Thompson joins Catalysts.

Thompson explains that the trial has progressed to its “second phase,” following the court’s determination that Google holds a monopoly. The question remains what kind of remedy will effectively address the harms identified by the court in the initial phase.

Thompson cautions that resolving this case and implementing appropriate solutions could be a long process, potentially spanning years.

“Break-ups are hard to do,” Thompson says, highlighting how “unusual” the DOJ’s proposed remedy is. He notes that such measures are uncommon, with many questioning its efficacy in curbing the market dominance of tech giants.

Nevertheless, Thompson advises investors to consider the evolving competitive landscape, particularly as artificial intelligence (AI) advances. “People have alternatives to Google searches,” he states as AI technologies grow in popularity and are potentially reshaping the search engine market.

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