Media: Press Release

Internet Accountability Project Statement on Google’s Attempt to Escape Jury Trial and Pay Off Justice

May 17, 2024

WASHINGTON — Mike Davis, founder and president of the Internet Accountability Project, issued the following statement after Google filed several motions to try to avoid a jury trial, pay a nominal amount of restitution, and dismiss the charges in United States v. Google LLC. 

“In its filings with the federal court in Virginia, Google has essentially admitted its illegal monopolization of the multi-billion-dollar market for online advertising. Through its anticompetitive and illegal misconduct, Google has defrauded the American public, small businesses, and federal and state governments by jacking up online advertising prices and misrepresenting the effectiveness of its online advertising business.

“While Google’s settlement number remains hidden from the public, it is hard to imagine it is anything close to reasonable given Google’s $250 billion in ill-gotten gains.

“We commend Jonathan Kanter, the Justice Department’s chief antitrust law-enforcement officer, for his bold vision and leadership in holding accountable trillion-dollar Big Tech monopolists, like Google, that have gatekeeping power over information and commerce. We also commend Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton for joining this crucial bipartisan effort.

“With Google’s admissions in its filings, the next important step should be the enforcement of the False Claims Act and the debarment of Google from doing business with federal and state governments.”

IAP is a nonprofit conservative advocacy group that holds Big Tech accountable for engaging in egregious business practices like snooping, spying, political bias against conservatives, employee abuses and anticompetitive conduct. Davis previously served as Chief Counsel for Nominations to Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary and led the Senate confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and a record number of circuit court judges. More information on Davis and IAP can be found here.

###