Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai will speak in court about claims that Google pays big money to be the main search engine on phones.
The U.S. government is looking closely at Google, talking to over 30 people for information.
Google says it leads in search because it’s always getting better, not because it pays others.
The U.S. focuses on two things. First, how Google keeps its top spot in search and ads. Second, how this affects regular people and businesses.
The government says Google spends billions to be the go-to search engine on iPhones and other devices.
Witnesses agree with the government. They say Google’s big contracts make it hard for others to compete.
Critics also say Google is too big, making it hard for smaller companies to get in the game.
The government also worries about us, the users. They say Google’s lead in search is bad for choice and privacy.
Other search engines that care about privacy can’t reach people easily.
Lastly, Google controls online ads a lot. With this control, they can raise prices without giving more value.
Google defends itself, saying it keeps making its search engine better.
Google also faces legal trouble elsewhere. For example, Europe and Japan are also looking into Google’s actions.
Background
This case is not the first of its kind. Big tech companies like Facebook and Apple have also faced legal questions.
These cases often look at if a company is too powerful and hurts competition. In the past, Microsoft faced similar issues and had to change its ways.
The outcome could set a big example. If Google loses, other tech giants might have to rethink their plans too. This could open doors for smaller companies to grow.
It’s a big moment for U.S. tech companies. The case shows that governments are watching them closely, thinking hard about new rules.