US Authors Guild supports antitrust action against Google

US writers’ group the Authors Guild has given its support to a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice and eight state attorneys-general against Google for "monopolising multiple digital advertising technology products".

The lawsuit alleges that Google has shown “anticompetitive, exclusionary, and unlawful conduct to eliminate or severely diminish any threat to its dominance over digital advertising technologies”. The action aims to restore healthy competition in the markets, alleging that Google’s dominance has harmed revenues for news publishers and content creators and had an impact on the exchange of ideas in the public sphere. 

Mary Rasenberger, c.e.o. of the Authors Guild, said: “The DoJ and states attorneys-generals’ lawsuit against Google has significance beyond the digital advertising markets. The complaint draws a clear line between Google’s control of digital advertising and the resulting harms to content publishers and creators. It has decimated journalism by siphoning up advertising revenue from newspapers and magazines, the result of which has been lower rates for freelance writing and 60% newsroom staff reductions. It has been devastating for journalists and book authors who rely on journalism income and has impacted the quality of our news.”  

The UK’s Society of Authors (SoA) said it supported the guild’s action in the US. 

Google said: "[The lawsuit] ignores the enormous competition in the online advertising industry.” In a blogpost the company said the DOJ was "doubling down on a flawed argument that would slow innovation, raise advertising fees and make it harder for thousands of small businesses and publishers to grow”. 

It argued that its products expanded choice for publishers and advertisers. The lawsuit would reverse years of innovation, harming the broader advertising sector, it claimed.