Google Built a Monopoly on Search Defaults and Will Do It Again in AI
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DuckDuckGo has filed an amicus brief supporting the federal court ruling that Google unlawfully maintained a search monopoly. The brief argues Google used billions in payments to lock in default search engine placements across browsers and devices, making it economically irrational for partners to switch. It also highlights how Google introduced deliberate friction to prevent users from changing defaults. The post warns Google is now replicating this playbook with AI, preloading Gemini across Chrome and Android to capture default AI assistant placement before rivals can compete, mirroring the same exclusionary tactics that built its search dominance.
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The record reveals the depths of Google’s monopolyGoogle doesn’t compete; it obstructsGoogle is running the same playbook in AIAffirm Google’s monopoly and end it48.1K Impressions5 Comments