Jason Kint Profile picture
Aug 15 11 tweets 4 min read Read on X
Bam. Facebook just filed its brief for Nov 6th SCOTUS hearing. As much as you may think you know the cover-up, you really should read. I will link to Facebook's petition (and response when filed) along with the actual complaint moving fwd in 9th circuit. But two things. /1 Image
First, if Justice Kavanaugh doesn't recuse then I argue it's the biggest conflict of interest by SCOTUS this year considering he's best friends and reportedly roomed at home of Facebook's top policy exec - Joel Kaplan, in middle of scandal - during confirmation hearings. /2 Image
It's good the complaint captures nuanced items like Facebook hiring one of the two co-founders of GSR (the other they made the fall guy) after they found out their data was being sold but before the public knew it. We knew this, but most press missed on it in the noise. /3 Image
But it also picks up on new items like Katie Harbath (mentioned 60+ times in the complaint) appears to be "M" and "N" in the Facebook message thread revealing they knew about issues with the company back in 2015. /4 Image
They also capture the deceptive label of "certification" applied by Facebook and Zuckerberg during press statements and testimony despite knowing it was legally dubious cover-up material. And that Andy Stone was reportedly the spokesperson helping bury this. /5 Image
However, despite my following near every detail, they also found new items like Kogan had TWO agreements with Facebook to delete data. One was dated a day after Brexit vote (so likely signed under pressure) but I was unaware it came after a Sandberg/Kaplan meeting in DC. /6 Image
Ultimately, it's a securities case getting at when Facebook knew risks and how it chose to (not) disclose them. But underlying evidence strikes at heart of governance, prior testimony and a huge derivative lawsuit in Delaware. If Facebook fails to get SCOTUS to kill it. /7
Here is a link to the actual full complaint. You may be surprised at how much has been recorded into history wrong. Even the simple idea that Facebook data was actually sold. /8 supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/2…
And here is a link to Facebook's brief to SCOTUS. It's led by Gibson Dunn (Lipshutz is big gun. GD was involved in "audit" - scandal clean up with FTI and Stroz Friedberg. Also sanctioned for burying and delaying related evidence in the mdl lawsuit). /9 supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/2…
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This thread will take you into the original cert request and various documents from the lawsuits and history of the case (for those interested). Back to Google antitrust now ;) /10
Adding the Wired citation to the end here. /11

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More from @jason_kint

Sep 11
Day 3: USvGoogle. Wow. “Google imposed debt on publishers” in damning evidence. After opening day with evasive top Google exec who ran adtech for both sides of market (but said “I believe so” to header bidding happening and AdX having 20% take rate), fireworks with DOJ expert. /1
Impressive DOJ expert Dr. Ravi systematically walked through conduct that had the interest conflicts lights blinking like fire alarms in Court. First, he testified 53% of Google's wins in auction were due to "First Look" (basically jumping in line to block) in Google's AdX. /2 Image
We saw an email exhibit explaining to leadership that "launching AdX into non-DFP servers destroys G's advantage leading to AdX losing access to overall queries with less valuable inventory begetting lower CPMs causing pubs to decrease G's access to their inventory. WTF. /3
Read 10 tweets
Sep 8
And so it begins. Tomorrow. US vs Google 2 antitrust trial. Google has had at least three off record briefings for press in the last month and just now posted its own propaganda blog post which no reporter should share the raw link without proper context. Just report on it. /1 Image
Google also posted its version of our adtech explainer. DCN focused on today and tomorrow but didn’t directly mention Google (only its conflicts of interest). Google focuses on today vs newspapers and takes credit for the web…as it likes to.

DCN on left, Google on right. /2

Like I said with Search after reading that complaint and knowing the business history, Google is screwed with adtech, too. DOJ and its attorneys did their homework, they know their stuff after years of study and discovery. I’m looking forward to the next four weeks. /3
Read 8 tweets
Aug 27
Motions hearing over. As expected, Google, and its Chief Legal Officer, Kent Walker, had an incredibly bad day as Court heard arguments over its abuse of privilege in the USA v Google adtech pre-trial motion. Scorched (imho) from the bench, “a very big problem for Google” /1
Since it’s no longer a trial, Court noted it wasn’t necessary to rule today but she made crystal clear, quotes as I captured them, “I’m comfortable saying this is not the way a respected corporate entity should function. A clear abuse of privilege.” /2
She said Google’s actions were “absolutely inappropriate and not proper” and said as each witness goes to the stand in trial, “I WILL DRAW INFERENCES.” and “will take into consideration as you call witnesses.” /3
Read 9 tweets
Aug 26
Nearly 300 more exhibits unsealed in last 24hrs for the Google adtech trial 9/9 in EDVA (on top of the 150 Friday). More insane illustrations of Google's market power, here showing how much of the ad spend in the global auctions run by Google comes through Google. Got that? /1 Image
These are all charts taking the wealth of data provided by Google to illustrate how much margin, marker power and conflicts of interest live with Google's services being on all sides of the advertising auctions (including tied to their search monopoly). /2 Image
So we start to see in unsealed emails how Google's market power is (ab)used. Here a top executive cites the 20% margins on auctions *tied* to the unique access to Google's AdWords demand (see monopoly power), and the suggestion of moving fees around to protect the margin. /3 Image
Read 7 tweets
Aug 23
As I mentioned, there are about 150 exhibits unsealed in last 24hrs for the Google adtech trial 9/9 in EDVA. I can post my highlights here if you find interesting.
Evidence is damning, trial will be lit. Basically Google sees 84% of the addressable ad market. That's insane. /1 Image
Google had slides like this which no sane monopolist under actual regulatory scrutiny would ever create. But back in the day... and we wonder why they see 84% of the ad market. /2 Image
On that note, Google will try to argue the market definition, "open web display," isn't valid but comically DOJ has soooo much evidence of it being used inside Google, outside Google, and even direct depositions backing it up. Like in Search case, G won't get far here. /3 Image
Read 29 tweets
Aug 23
About to drop a lot in US v Google adtech trial...brace. First, we're going to start with exhibits just unsealed backing up DOJ allegations Google deleted evidence despite a litigation hold. Judge will hear arguments Tuesday. Delays + lack of "produced chats" appear sus. /1 Image
But first a PSA, this Google adtech trial starts 9/9. In the last 24hrs, incredible unsealed exhibits (150+) are flying under radar so humbly suggest press adjust focus - this week Google hosted several useless off-record pre-trial briefings with tech press. Read the docs. /2
Back to the allegations Google deleted evidence. I'm nit going to litigate here but we're seeing many new examples of Google applying "fake privilege" on comms. More interestingly, we're also seeing effect of internal chat being turned to default-off despite litigation holds. /3 Image
Read 11 tweets

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