The U.S. Justice Department has launched a significant antitrust attack on Google's dominant search engine and Apple's popular iPhone, drawing parallels to the historic battle that once hindered Microsoft before its resurgence as the world's most valuable company.
Regulators argue that Google and Apple might not have achieved their current levels of success if Microsoft had not faced antitrust actions a quarter-century ago. The Justice Department's case against Google alleges that the search engine has created an illegal monopoly that stifles competition and innovation, while the case against Apple, filed more recently, is still in its early stages.
Regulators have drawn comparisons between the tactics employed by Google and Apple and those used by Microsoft in the past to block competition. The legal battles against Microsoft in the late 1990s are seen as instrumental in opening the door for Google's search engine to become the internet's primary gateway and for Apple to expand its reach with products like the iPod and iPhone.
Despite years of struggling to compete with Google and Apple, Microsoft has seen a resurgence under CEO Satya Nadella, surpassing Apple as the world's most valuable company earlier this year. This turnaround highlights the potential for innovation and competition in the tech industry.
Antitrust experts view these cases as part of a system that aims to foster competition and innovation while preventing the emergence of new monopolies. The history of antitrust actions against companies like IBM and AT&T, which paved the way for Microsoft and Apple to thrive, underscores the importance of regulatory intervention in maintaining a competitive market.
The Justice Department's case against Google is expected to conclude soon, with a ruling anticipated in late summer or early autumn. Meanwhile, the case against Apple will continue to progress, and regulators will monitor Microsoft's activities in the evolving field of artificial intelligence to ensure fair competition.
