Google Faces U.S. Antitrust Trial Over Search Monopoly and $10 Billion Payments

The U.S. government and Google have begun a 10-week trial to determine whether the tech giant illegally used agreements to exclude its competitors and maintain a monopoly in online search. The Justice Department and states accused Google of using its dominant position and paying $10 billion a year to be the default search provider on smartphones as a strategic weapon to cut out rivals. Google defended itself, stating that it had not illegally used agreements and that users have many search options available. The trial could have significant implications for the tech industry and the balance of power among large tech companies.