Google opposed a Justice Department proposal that would prevent it from bundling its YouTube and Google Maps apps with its Gemini AI service, asserting these products are not monopolies. During a court hearing on October 8, Google attorney John Schmidtlein pointed out that there has been no ruling establishing a monopoly in the AI sector or for Maps and YouTube. Following a September ruling by Judge Amit Mehta, which determined Google abused its monopoly in search and advertising, the debate is now centered on the judge’s final order. Mehta expressed uncertainty about linking access to YouTube and Maps with Gemini for device makers. The case, rooted in antitrust laws, has spanned almost four years, beginning with a 2020 lawsuit from the Justice Department and 11 states, highlighting Google’s alleged anticompetitive practices. The government aims to include restrictions on Gemini as part of the remedy to curb Google’s dominance in search.
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