Reasons for Favoring the DOJ over Google
In our survey regarding antitrust issues, we presented participants with a summary of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) antitrust lawsuit against Google. The lawsuit centers around Google’s strategy of paying device manufacturers and browser companies to be the default search engine on devices and browsers. We asked survey respondents questions about the strength of the DOJ’s case, who they’d favor, and why they would favor that party. Below are some of the reasons why participants ended up favoring the DOJ over Google.
Google Has a Monopoly and Is Too Powerful
Many of the participants favoring the DOJ over Google believed that the sheer size of Google’s market share was evidence of a monopoly.
Government Regulation Should End Google's Search Engine Monopoly
Some respondents favoring the DOJ over Google believed it was the DOJ’s duty to end Google’s search engine monopoly. These participants saw the tech industry as “uncharted waters” that need to be regulated by the government.
Other Search Engine Companies Should Get a Real Chance to Compete
Many of the participants favoring the DOJ over Google saw Google’s market share as a sufficient reason to increase competition in the search engine industry. They believed Google’s practices make it difficult for another company to compete.
Google's Tactics Bully Competitors
Some comments reflected opinions that Google’s practices were a form of bullying other companies in the industry. They saw Google’s size as an oppressive force that makes it impossible for other companies to compete.
Many Consumers Do Not Know How to Change The Default Search Engine
One of Google’s main arguments was that consumers know how to change their default search engines but they don’t because they like Google’s product. Many of the participants thought consumers might not know how to change their default search engine on their devices and browsers or even think to do it.
Google Alters Search Results to Its Own Benefit
One of the DOJ’s claims is that Google’s practices reduce competition in the advertising industry by placing sponsored query results ahead of non-sponsored results. Respondents did not like that practice. Participants favoring the DOJ over Google believed that Google was manipulating the public by putting the sponsored results above the most relevant results.
Google Has Too Much Private and Personal Data From Users of Its Search Engines
Some participants favored the DOJ because they believed Google’s information gathering practices are inappropriate and represented a privacy concern. They felt Google’s data collection and use should be regulated.