Utah is joining a multistate lawsuit against Google, alleging the search engine is “anticompetitive” and “deceptive” in its ad practices.
The suit alleges that Google has violated Federal and State Antitrust Laws by monopolizing online advertising services. It also alleges that Google engaged in “deceptive acts” while selling, buying and auctioning online ads. This increased costs for advertisers and harmed the ability of online publishers to profit from their content, according to the suit.
“To the detriment of competitors and consumers, Google has strayed from its founding motto of ‘Don’t be evil’ by displaying naked greed and a disdain for the law in its pursuit of absolute market dominance,” said Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes in a news release. “Rather than relying on innovation and merit in an open market, Google has chosen to attempt to crush all competition with a concerted scheme that few in the public understand.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who originally filed the suit, said Google is using its “monopolistic power” to control pricing of online advertisements, fixing the market in its favor and eliminating competition.
Google called Paxton’s claims “meritless” and said the price of online advertising has fallen over the last decade.
“These are the hallmarks of a highly competitive industry,” the company said in statement. “We will strongly defend ourselves from (Paxton’s) baseless claims in court.”
Other states that have signed onto the suit are Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and South Dakota.
