We have already discussed the Google case of anti-competitive practices to maintain its dominant position. As we have already observed, the Justice department’s case against Google refers to a series of contracts where Google pays web browsers and smartphone makers to be the default search engine.

Michael Roszak, a senior Google executive (vice-president for finance) wrote notes on communications for a training programme in 2017. In the notes, Michael writes that search advertising is one of the greatest business models ever created. This business, he continues, ignores one of the fundamental laws of economics. It ignores the demand side of the equation (users and queries) and focuses only on the supply side of advertisers. He goes on to compare this search advertising business to illicit business of cigarettes and drugs.

The document was used as a piece of evidence in the case. Roszac testified at the trial in September, 2023. However, the government removed from the web public access to emails, chats and internal presentations at the instance of Google. The exhibits were reposted after the judge brokered a compromise to create procedure for their posting. Thereafter, Roszak’s notes were made publicly available on 28th Sept, 2023.

The document is full of exaggeration and hyperbole. Roszak testified that he could not recall any presentation on the subject. He further said the document was never sent to anyone else at Google. Roszak said he was saying things he did not believe as part of presentation in the course.