‘It might take some time for the outcome to be determined,” stated CEO Sundar Pichai about Google’s antitrust issues

Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai has suggested that the current antitrust challenges facing Google are expected to take years to resolve, indicating that they do not present an immediate threat to the company’s operations, according to a report from Bloomberg.

In a recent appearance on “The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer Conversations,” Pichai discussed the company’s legal issues, remarking, “It’s going to take time for it to play out.”

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‘It might take some time for the outcome to be determined,” stated CEO Sundar Pichai about Google’s antitrust issues

September 27, 2024

He further stated, “Where we believe it genuinely impacts our ability to innovate for our users, we will vigorously defend ourselves,” as reported by Bloomberg.

Antitrust trials

The tech giant is currently engaged in two distinct antitrust trials initiated by the US Justice Department. One lawsuit claims Google’s unlawful dominance in the digital advertising sector, while the other addresses its control over online search. The advertising trial has recently commenced, and in the search case, which Google lost, Judge Amit Mehta aims to resolve final issues by August.

Commenting on the search case ruling, Pichai stated, “We definitely disagree with the ruling, but it’s still in the remedies phase. We will appeal, and this process is likely to take many years.”

These legal proceedings are taking place amid rapid technological advancements, especially in artificial intelligence, where Google is working to secure a strong position. Industry experts suggest that by the time these cases reach their conclusion, the tech landscape could experience substantial shifts.

In the advertising case, if the government succeeds, it could result in a breakup of Google and necessitate the sale of certain assets. Google is anticipated to appeal any such ruling, contending that it has competed fairly against rivals like Facebook and Amazon.

Pichai underscored the potential duration of the appeals process by referencing Google’s recent success against a €1.5 billion antitrust fine in the European Union General Court, which occurred more than four years after the initial penalty was imposed.