The trial in a high-profile antitrust case is nearing completion.
In Washington, one of the key legal proceedings against Google, accused of antitrust violations, is coming to an end. In the last days of the hearing, the prosecution's lawyers claim that the company deliberately destroyed certain evidence by deleting internal correspondence of its employees.
According to the US Department of Justice, Google deliberately advised its employees to disable saving their chat history when discussing sensitive topics, such as revenue sharing arrangements and mobile app distribution agreements. These measures, according to the prosecution, helped strengthen Google's monopoly position in the search engine market.
The lawyer of the Ministry of Justice, Kenneth Dinzer, stressed during the meeting that such behavior of the company is anti-competitive in nature and is aimed at concealing information about violations of the antimonopoly legislation. Judge Amit Mehta noted that Google's document retention policy leaves much to be desired and expressed surprise that such a large company could introduce such a practice.
Google lawyer Colette Connor objected, arguing that the lack of chats does not affect the course of the proceedings, since it does not contain new information on the case. However, the court disputed this claim, emphasizing the need to know what exactly was destroyed.
Kenneth Dinzer also pointed out that the company's reporting of only the Texas Attorney General without disclosing sensitive data to the federal government is inconsistent with its disclosure obligations under federal civil procedure rules.
Judge Mehta plans to make a final decision in late summer or early fall of this year. If Google loses, the court can order the company to split up its business, as well as impose sanctions for destroying evidence.
In Washington, one of the key legal proceedings against Google, accused of antitrust violations, is coming to an end. In the last days of the hearing, the prosecution's lawyers claim that the company deliberately destroyed certain evidence by deleting internal correspondence of its employees.
According to the US Department of Justice, Google deliberately advised its employees to disable saving their chat history when discussing sensitive topics, such as revenue sharing arrangements and mobile app distribution agreements. These measures, according to the prosecution, helped strengthen Google's monopoly position in the search engine market.
The lawyer of the Ministry of Justice, Kenneth Dinzer, stressed during the meeting that such behavior of the company is anti-competitive in nature and is aimed at concealing information about violations of the antimonopoly legislation. Judge Amit Mehta noted that Google's document retention policy leaves much to be desired and expressed surprise that such a large company could introduce such a practice.
Google lawyer Colette Connor objected, arguing that the lack of chats does not affect the course of the proceedings, since it does not contain new information on the case. However, the court disputed this claim, emphasizing the need to know what exactly was destroyed.
Kenneth Dinzer also pointed out that the company's reporting of only the Texas Attorney General without disclosing sensitive data to the federal government is inconsistent with its disclosure obligations under federal civil procedure rules.
Judge Mehta plans to make a final decision in late summer or early fall of this year. If Google loses, the court can order the company to split up its business, as well as impose sanctions for destroying evidence.
