Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella testified in an antitrust trial against Google’s parent company, Alphabet, alleging that unfair tactics employed by Google have led to its dominance as a search engine. Nadella argued that agreements making Google the default browser on smartphones and computers have stifled competition, specifically hindering Microsoft’s rival search program, Bing. He downplayed the impact of artificial intelligence and niche search engines like Amazon or social media sites, stating that users have limited choice in switching from default web browsers on their devices. Nadella’s testimony comes as part of the largest U.S. antitrust trial in the past 25 years, with the Justice Department accusing Google of monopolistic practices.
In response to questioning by Google’s lead litigator, Nadella denied that Bing’s adoption of artificial intelligence had significantly affected its market share. Google has contended that artificial intelligence programs have increased competition in the search engine market. Nadella also mentioned Microsoft’s revamped search engine, enhanced with artificial intelligence, and its app store downloads, but he considered them interesting rather than impactful. The antitrust case against Google primarily focuses on the deals the company made with Apple and other manufacturers to use its search engine. Microsoft had faced similar accusations in the 1990s, during a high-profile antitrust case that coincidentally helped Google establish its search engine as the dominant force in the market.
Despite Microsoft’s efforts and substantial investment, Bing continues to lag behind Google as a distant second in the search engine market. Nadella succeeded Steve Ballmer as Microsoft’s CEO in 2014 and has led the company to significant gains in personal and cloud computing. However, he has been unable to make substantial progress in challenging Google’s dominance. The trial, being presided over by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, is not expected to conclude until next year.