The U.S. Government’s Antitrust Battle Against Big Tech: A Look at the Latest Cases
The U.S. government’s landmark antitrust trial against Google’s search business is nearing its conclusion, but this is just the beginning of a wave of major federal cases challenging Big Tech’s power. Under the Trump administration, the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission initiated investigations into Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta, the parent company of Instagram and WhatsApp, for monopolistic behavior. The government has since sued all four companies, with Google facing two lawsuits, in an effort to rein in their power and promote more competition.
Closing arguments are wrapping up in Google’s first antitrust suit, which alleges that the tech giant has a monopoly in internet search. The judge’s ruling, expected in the coming weeks or months, is likely to set precedents for the remaining cases against Big Tech.
In the case of Amazon, the FTC and 17 states sued the e-commerce giant, accusing it of protecting a monopoly by squeezing sellers on its marketplace and favoring its own services. Amazon has denied the claims and is gearing up for a trial set to begin in October 2026.
Apple, on the other hand, is facing a lawsuit from the Department of Justice, which accuses the company of using its monopoly in the smartphone market to block competition, inflate prices for consumers, and stifle competition. Apple has vehemently denied the allegations and plans to file a motion to dismiss the case.
In addition to the search lawsuit, the Justice Department has also filed a separate suit against Google over online advertising, which is expected to go to trial in September. Google has asked a federal judge to dismiss the case, arguing that the ad technology market is competitive.
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is also embroiled in an antitrust lawsuit filed by the FTC, which accuses the company of creating a monopoly in social media by acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp. The lawsuit has seen its fair share of twists and turns, with a judge initially dismissing the complaint but allowing the agency to refile it.
As these high-stakes antitrust cases against Big Tech unfold, the tech industry and consumers alike are watching closely to see how the outcomes will shape the future of competition and innovation in the digital landscape.