Tech Defaults: US v. Google episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 17, 2026 · 6 MIN

Tech Defaults: US v. Google

from EconWorks Podcast · host EconWorks

If Google Search is free, how can it be a monopoly? We’re breaking down the DOJ’s landmark case against Google and the high-stakes economics of "default" settings.In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) alleged that Google unlawfully maintained a monopoly not by charging users but by controlling how they access the internet. In this video, we move past the headlines to analyze the empirical data behind* The Power of Defaults: Why being the pre-set search engine on iPhones and Androids is worth billions.* The “Zero Price” Paradox: How antitrust law handles services that don’t cost the consumer a cent.* Exclusionary Agreements: Analyzing the contracts between Google, Apple, and wireless carriers.This video is part of the EconWorks series. Visit the blog to learn more about the economics and to view our graphic representation of digital distribution moats:Subscribe to EconWorks to learn about the economics of the tech giants. We give weekly updates on antitrust litigation and platform governance.#Antitrust #Google #DOJ #Economics #TechLaw #EconWorks #Monopoly #SearchEngine This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.econworks.com/subscribe

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Tech Defaults: US v. Google

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