Google's monopoly in search is a menace to society. They've steadily been making search worse by eroding the distinction between ads and organic results, pushing their own services over better alternatives, and shaking down companies for their trademarks. theverge.com/2020/10/20/214…
https://twitter.com/jasonfried/status/1168986962704982016
It's a shame that this antitrust suit is so narrow, and doesn't address the many other monopoly abuses that Google has been indulging, like the Play Store regime, but it's a monumental moment that a major case is FINALLY coming. May it be the first of many for all of Big Tech!
And it sounds like that's exactly what's going to happen. Only 11 State AGs have signed on to this narrow case. Others are preparing their own suits. This is exactly what we need: A torrent of scrutiny and a world of hurt for past transgressions! washingtonpost.com/technology/202…
This is a test of democracy vs corporatism. Will the Department of Justice actually be able to counter the hundreds of millions, if not billions, that Google will throw at this case to keep the monopoly spoils flowing? Worst possible outcome would be a timid, one-time settlement.
The last thing we need is another Facebook-style three-weeks-of-revenue style fine, which ends up sanctifying their dominans at a pittance. No more fines. Structural changes. Consent decrees. ACTUAL CHANGE PLEASE.
If our democratic institutions can deliver that – actual change in the face of big tech dominance and competitive strangulation – it'll be a critical victory for the whole concept of democracy. That fundamental change is possible, believable, achievable!
But Google (and Apple and Amazon) are all many times stronger than Microsoft ever was at its zenith in the 90s. We're extremely unlikely to see a repeat of an obstinate Gates pissing directly at the legal system, making the villainy so easily attackable.
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