Associated Press: Ten states sue Google for ‘anti-competitive’ online ad sales

December 16, 2020 Media

DALLAS (AP) — Ten states on Wednesday brought a lawsuit against Google, accusing the search giant of “anti-competitive conduct” in the online advertising industry, including a deal to manipulate sales with rival Facebook.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the suit, which was filed in a federal court in Texas, saying Google is using its “monopolistic power” to control pricing of online advertisements, fixing the market in its favor and eliminating competition.

“This Goliath of a company is using its power to manipulate the market, destroy competition, and harm you, the consumer,” Paxton said in the video posted on Twitter.

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The American Economic Liberties Project, an organization that advocates for government action against business concentration, welcomed the the states’ suit.

“Google’s current business model is a threat to democracy and the free press,” Sarah Miller, the group’s executive director, said in a statement. ___