California to join federal antitrust case against Google

SACRAMENTO (AP) — California is seeking to join Justice Department in its antitrust lawsuit against Google parent Alphabet Inc., one of state's largest businesses.

State Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed motion to join case in federal court on Friday.

“Google’s anticompetitive behavior has unlawfully maintained company’s mopoly on internet search and search-based vertising at expense of consumers,” said Becerra.

Justice Department sued Google in October. case, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., alleges that Google uses billions of dollars collected from vertisers to pay phone manufacturers to ensure Google is default search engine on browsers. This, lawsuit claims, harms consumers and stifles smaller rivals.

Eleven states, all with Republican attorneys general, joined federal government in lawsuit at time. California is first Democratic state anuncing its intent to join Justice Department's case.

Along with Federal Tre Commission and 47 or states and territories, Becerra also sued Facebook this week for allegedly violating federal antitrust laws by buying smaller competitors like Instagram and WhatsApp to maintain a mopoly. Also this week, President-elect Joe Biden picked Becerra to be his health secretary

Google, which is based in Mountain View, California, has until Dec. 18 to respond to state's motion.

company said it is “confident” in its position and will continue to make its case in court.

“People use Google because y choose to, t because y’re forced to, or because y can’t find alternatives,” it said in a statement.