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U.S. accuses Google of abusing monopoly in ad technology

nytimes.com

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Re: U.S. accuses Google of abusing monopoly in ad technology

#2
https://archive.ph/vJYU2

I hope something comes of this, but other than a change in administration, what's new on this in the last decade? Hasn't Google essentially controlled most of online advertising for eons? In fact, perhaps more recently Facebook/Meta has chipped into that market more than how things were 8-10 years ago.

I was part of an acquisition that Google made in the ad-tech industry back in 2011 and there was a months long DOJ investigation before approving the purchase. The conclusion was it would not harm competition. Within less than two years our product was eliminated or folded into Google's and the staff scattered to the wind (inside and outside Google), and our customers became Google's customers. They've been doing this forever, back to DoubleClick, etc.

Is this timing connected in any way with layoff announcements? Or a general push by the Biden admin generally?

Not American, so not as informed about the ins and outs, and genuinely curious.

Re: U.S. accuses Google of abusing monopoly in ad technology

#4

https://archive.ph/vJYU2 I hope something comes of this, but other than a change in administration, what's new on this in the last decade? Hasn't Google essentially controlled most of online advertising for eons? In fact, perhaps more recently Facebook/Meta has chipped into that market more than how things were 8-10 years ago. I was part of an acquisition that Google made in the ad-tech industry back in 2011 and ther…

As an American it may just be attitudes. The last two administrations didn’t do much to Google, Democrat or Republican.

But the idea of big tech being a wonder that unequivocally makes life better and doesn’t need oversight seems to be falling apart. Both for good (privacy) and bad (‘kill section 230!’) reasons.

Re: U.S. accuses Google of abusing monopoly in ad technology

#7

https://archive.ph/vJYU2 I hope something comes of this, but other than a change in administration, what's new on this in the last decade? Hasn't Google essentially controlled most of online advertising for eons? In fact, perhaps more recently Facebook/Meta has chipped into that market more than how things were 8-10 years ago. I was part of an acquisition that Google made in the ad-tech industry back in 2011 and ther…

Afaik it's more of a general push by the new heads of the FTC & DoJ's antitrust division.

Re: U.S. accuses Google of abusing monopoly in ad technology

#8

https://archive.ph/vJYU2 I hope something comes of this, but other than a change in administration, what's new on this in the last decade? Hasn't Google essentially controlled most of online advertising for eons? In fact, perhaps more recently Facebook/Meta has chipped into that market more than how things were 8-10 years ago. I was part of an acquisition that Google made in the ad-tech industry back in 2011 and ther…

Progress has been slow, but dealing with Google is a completely bipartisan issue. We've moved really far: A few years ago, the FTC was chaired by a guy who wrote Google-funded studies claiming Google's monopoly was good, and Google reps visited the White House some 400 times during the Obama administration. The revolving door between Google and the federal government didn't stop turning for several years straight.

Now both parties see the threat (albeit for differing reasons), but the federal government needs a lot of time to build a case like this, and Google is extremely adept at stalling for time.

During the EU investigation, Google waited every deadline to the final day, then asking for more time multiple times, and then finally on the last possible extension day tor respond would come back with a bull~~~~ one page "we don't think we broke this law" statement. They know the fine won't be nearly as big as the profits so they're running out the clock as long as possible. Every lawyer there knows they're crooks.

Re: U.S. accuses Google of abusing monopoly in ad technology

#9
post #6

It's pretty irritating that in the presence of clear collusion and abuse inflicted upon general consumers of things like eggs and motor fuels and insulin, the administration spends its limited enforcement capacity this way.

Last mile internet access is a pretty big must-have, as well.

Re: U.S. accuses Google of abusing monopoly in ad technology

#10

https://archive.ph/vJYU2 I hope something comes of this, but other than a change in administration, what's new on this in the last decade? Hasn't Google essentially controlled most of online advertising for eons? In fact, perhaps more recently Facebook/Meta has chipped into that market more than how things were 8-10 years ago. I was part of an acquisition that Google made in the ad-tech industry back in 2011 and ther…

The administration change indeed has a lot to do with this. New chairs at the FCC (Rosenworcel) and FTC (Sohn) have a much more antitrust bent than in the past. The layoff announcements are connected if you take it that M&A in big tech has been out of control for years, but it's tangential.
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