Google case promises more Big Tech antitrust scrutiny

Significance

This marks the Department of Justice (DoJ)'s first big antitrust win in court since the Microsoft case in the 1990s. It marks a significant victory for the Biden administration's efforts to redefine anticompetitive behaviour by its broader social and economic impacts in the context of the digital economy.

Impacts

• Like the landmark Microsoft case, the court ruling may accelerate Google’s business pivot.
• Biden's unfair pricing task force's first meeting hints at tighter antitrust focus on grocery and other consumer-facing sectors.
• In healthcare, private equity 'roll-ups' and minority stakes in rival companies are facing increased scrutiny.