TOPEKA –
(December 17, 2020) – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt today joined a bipartisan
coalition in filing a lawsuit against Google LLC in federal court, arguing that
the internet search giant maintains an illegal monopoly that harms consumers by
limiting competition that could lead to greater choice, innovation and better
privacy protections.
Schmidt and 37
other attorneys general filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the
District of Columbia alleging violations of Section 2 of the Sherman Act. The
states allege that Google illegally maintains its monopoly over general search
engines and related advertising markets through a series of anticompetitive
exclusionary contracts and conduct. The attorneys general also say Google has
exploited its market position to amass and leverage data to the detriment of
consumers.
“With limited
or no competition in the marketplace, Google’s illegal monopoly gives it power
to impose its terms on consumers, advertisers and competitors,” Schmidt said.
“This complaint seeks to restore balance which will be a great benefit to
consumers and other technology innovators.”
Schmidt said
the states’ complaint was consistent with
the October 28 lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, which alleged
that Google improperly maintains its monopoly power in general search and
search advertising through the use of exclusionary agreements. The federal
government’s lawsuit was also filed in the U.S. District Court for the District
of Columbia. A motion to consolidate the cases has been filed.
The attorneys
general ask the court to halt Google’s illegal conduct and restore a
competitive marketplace. The states also seek to unwind any advantages that
Google gained as a result of its anticompetitive conduct, including divestiture
of assets as appropriate. The court is also asked to provide any additional
relief it determines appropriate, as well as reasonable fees and costs to the
states.
Schmidt
announced in September 2019 that his office was part of a bipartisan coalition
of state and territory attorneys general that was investigating Google’s business
practices.
A copy of
states’ federal complaint can be found at https://bit.ly/3gTPK9G.