Despite Google's recent victory, a flurry of competition cases could still change how the tech giants do business

Core Viewpoint - A US judge recently ruled against breaking up Google, despite previous findings of its monopoly in the online search market, amidst ongoing antitrust investigations involving major tech companies in both the EU and the US [1][2]. Antitrust Investigations - There are over 45 ongoing antitrust investigations targeting major tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, and Meta, primarily under the EU Digital Markets Act and US competition laws [1][2]. - Investigations focus on both longstanding competition legislation and newer issues that have arisen in recent years [3][4]. Google Specifics - In August, US Judge Amit Mehta decided against ordering a breakup of Google or forcing the sale of its Chrome browser, instead imposing other commitments on the company [5]. - The European Commission fined Google €2.95 billion in September 2025 for favoring its own advertising services over competitors [6]. Other Tech Companies - Microsoft, Apple, and Meta are also under investigation, with Microsoft facing scrutiny for tying its Teams software to its Office 365 suite, initiated by a complaint from Slack [10]. - Apple was fined €500 million for breaching the Digital Markets Act by restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper deals outside its app store [12]. - Meta was fined €200 million for its "pay-or-consent" advertising model, which was found to breach the Digital Markets Act [14]. Regulatory Implications - The European Commission can impose fines up to 10% of a company's total worldwide turnover for non-compliance, with potential increases for repeated infringements [15]. - Companies may need to alter their business practices significantly to avoid hefty fines and restrictions, impacting their profitability [8][9]. User Experience Changes - Users may experience changes in how they interact with services, such as reduced linking in Google Maps due to perceptions of dominance in the search market [17]. - The expectation is that big tech companies will face more constraints in their business models, particularly regarding market competition [18].