Former Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter believes a breakup of Google could positively impact the internet by fostering greater competition. Kanter, who spearheaded major antitrust cases against Google, highlights the potential for a more level playing field.
Google recently lost two significant antitrust cases. One involves allegations of monopolizing web search through default placement deals, especially on the iPhone. A court ruled against Google, and the remedy phase is underway, where the government is seeking remedies like the sale of Chrome and increased data access for competitors.
The second case found Google guilty of harming publishers and users with its advertising monopoly. The remedy phase will likely involve the divestiture of parts of Google’s ad tech system.
While Google plans to appeal, these initial rulings suggest a potentially transformative future for the company and the web. Kanter views his team at the DOJ as a specialized law firm within the government. Now outside government, Kanter is more candid and notes potential political shifts that could affect the DOJ’s effectiveness in tech regulation.
Kanter also commented on the FTC’s case against Meta, which could lead to the breakup of Instagram and WhatsApp, expressing optimism about the FTC’s continued aggressive approach to tech regulation. He stresses the importance of maintaining public trust in the rule of law and preventing corruption within regulatory bodies, ensuring they are not influenced by tech executives.