MxM News

Quick Hit:

A coalition of 38 state attorneys general, alongside the Department of Justice (DOJ), has announced a final plan to break up Google’s search engine monopoly. The proposed remedies include forcing Google to divest its Chrome browser and, potentially, its Android operating system. The move follows a court ruling last year that found Google guilty of monopolistic practices in online search.

Key Details:

• The plan would require Google to sell Chrome and could extend to Android if initial measures fail.
• The initiative aims to restore competition in the search and search advertising markets, according to Colorado AG Phil Weiser.
• Google argues the DOJ’s proposal is overly aggressive and claims it would harm consumers and U.S. technology leadership.

Diving Deeper:

The Justice Department and 38 state attorneys general have put forward a final set of remedies aimed at dismantling Google’s dominance in online search and digital advertising. The proposal, announced by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, seeks to correct years of alleged anti-competitive behavior by the tech giant.

“For years, the Google browser has been the dominant gateway for users to search the internet,” Weiser said, emphasizing that Google’s monopolistic grip has “stifled innovation, undermined competition, and harmed consumers.” The coalition’s proposed remedies focus on breaking up Google’s search empire to promote a more competitive marketplace.

One of the most significant aspects of the proposal is the forced divestiture of Google’s Chrome browser, which currently serves as the primary access point for billions of users. Additionally, if Google is found to be undermining the decree’s effectiveness, the company could also be required to sell off Android, further reducing its influence over digital search.

This aggressive action follows a federal court ruling last year that determined Google had engaged in monopolistic practices. The ruling came after extensive legal battles between the government and the tech giant, reinforcing concerns that Google’s dominance in online search has hurt competition and limited consumer choice.

However, Google has strongly pushed back against the proposal. Lee-Anne Mulholland, the company’s vice president of regulatory affairs, criticized the DOJ’s intervention, calling it an overreach. “DOJ’s proposal would harm American consumers and undermine America’s global technology leadership,” Mulholland said, signaling the company’s intent to challenge the ruling in court.

A court hearing on the proposed remedies is set to begin on April 21 and is expected to conclude by May 9. Google has already indicated that it will appeal any ruling that forces it to break up its core business, setting the stage for another high-stakes legal battle between the tech giant and federal regulators.

MxM News

Quick Hit:

Elon Musk revealed Monday that X was the target of a “massive cyberattack,” with IP addresses linked to the Ukraine region. Musk noted the attack was highly coordinated and suggested it could involve a large group or a nation-state.

Key Details:

• Speaking to Fox Business’ Larry Kudlow, Musk said, “We’re not exactly sure what happened, but there was a massive cyberattack to try to bring down the ecosystem with IP addresses originating in the Ukraine area.”

• Earlier Monday, Musk posted about the attack on X, stating, “There was (still is) a massive cyberattack against X,” adding that the platform faces daily attacks but this one was particularly well-resourced.

• Musk, who acquired X (formerly Twitter) for $44 billion in October 2022, has faced increasing pressure as his companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, deal with coordinated protests that he alleges are backed by left-wing billionaires like George Soros and Reid Hoffman.

Diving Deeper:

X suffered a significant cyberattack Monday, according to its owner Elon Musk. During an interview with Fox Business’ Larry Kudlow, Musk said that while the full details were unclear, the attack sought to “bring down the ecosystem” and had origins tied to the Ukraine region. He suggested the attack was well-funded and likely involved either a large, coordinated group or a nation-state.

Musk had earlier addressed the incident on X, stating that while the platform regularly faces cyber threats, this particular attack was on a different scale. “We get attacked every day, but this was done with a lot of resources,” he wrote, adding that efforts were underway to trace those responsible.

The timing of the cyberattack raises questions, as it comes amid widespread protests against Musk’s other ventures, particularly Tesla. Musk has accused high-profile Democrat donors, including George Soros and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, of financing the demonstrations. He has not provided direct evidence to support the claim, but the protests have coincided with an intensifying political battle over Musk’s influence in both the private sector and government.

Musk’s role in the Trump administration as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency has drawn praise from the president. Trump has credited Musk with spearheading efforts to reduce government waste and save taxpayers billions. Meanwhile, Musk’s companies, including SpaceX, hold lucrative contracts with the Department of Defense, making them frequent targets of scrutiny and opposition from political adversaries.

As X continues to investigate the cyberattack, the broader implications remain unclear. Whether a nation-state or an organized cybercriminal group was behind the attack could have significant ramifications, particularly given the geopolitical tensions surrounding Ukraine.