Dismantling Google is a terrible idea
Despite its appeal as a political rallying cry
The parallels draw themselves. In 1999 America’s government prevailed in a high-profile antitrust suit against a tech giant it alleged was abusing a monopoly. The case then turned on the “power of the default” in internet browsers: Uncle Sam said Microsoft was forcing computer-makers to distribute its browser along with its Windows software. It resulted in proposals to break Microsoft up (though the firm won on appeal and remained whole).
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This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Shake up, not break up”
From the October 5th 2024 edition
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