WASHINGTON – The US Department of Justice has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Google. The DOJ alleges that Google has, “engaged in a course of anticompetitive and exclusionary  conduct …” Following the revelation of the lawsuit, Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the joint statement below:

“As Senators concerned about the health of the online economy, we are encouraged by the Justice Department’s efforts to protect competition in online advertising. Digital ads are the economic lifeblood for much online content, and a necessity for small businesses to efficiently reach consumers.

“Anticompetitive conduct in this market does enormous harm to the entire American economy. Because of this, we are committed to a legislative solution that goes beyond just one company to ensure that one monopolist isn’t replaced by another and that all consumers benefit from competition and transparency.” 

BACKGROUND: In May of 2022, Senator Lee introduced the Competition and Transparency in Digital Advertising Act. Lee was joined by Sens. Klobuchar, Cruz, and Blumenthal as original cosponsors.