The verdict in the American antitrust case against Google is sending ripples across the globe, likely influencing how regulators from Brussels to Tokyo approach the dominance of Big Tech. Judge Mehta’s decision to forgo a breakup while focusing on data sharing and interoperability could set a new international tone.
European regulators, who have often taken a more aggressive stance with laws like the Digital Markets Act (DMA), will be watching closely. The judge’s heavy reliance on the future promise of AI competition presents a novel argument that other tech firms may now use in their disputes with the EU. It introduces a “wait and see” element, suggesting markets might self-correct.
Conversely, the judge’s mandate for data sharing aligns with a key principle of the DMA, which is to force “gatekeeper” platforms to provide rivals with access to data. The U.S. court’s endorsement of this remedy could strengthen the resolve of international regulators to enforce similar measures, creating a new global standard for competition policy.
The decision not to ban Google’s payments to Apple, however, marks a divergence from the more prescriptive European approach. This may signal that U.S. courts are more hesitant to interfere with large-scale commercial agreements, a stance that could lead to different regulatory outcomes on either side of the Atlantic.