The US Department of Justice is trying to prove that Google has suppressed competition for leadership in the field of Internet search

The U.S. Department of Justice used the first week of the trial against Google to prove that the company violated antitrust laws and suppressed competition to maintain its market leadership, writes The Register.

The government’s complaint alleges that Google has “stifled competition in the Internet search industry” through exclusive contracts with mobile phone manufacturers, web browser developers, and telecommunications companies.

Through these contracts, Google search was enabled by default on Android phones, Apple iOS and macOS devices, as well as in competing browsers such as Mozilla’s Firefox. The company also made Google search the default service in its own Chrome web browser.

During the opening arguments, a representative of the US Department of Justice stated that this case concerns the future of the Internet. He also argued that Google’s monopoly begins with agreements that make its service the default search engine.

Instead, Google insists that the company’s search service is implemented by default because it is the best option.

The high-profile trial between Google and representatives of the Ministry of Justice will last for 10 weeks. As part of this case, government lawyers stated that the company knew that its activities were being scrutinized, so it advised its employees not to use certain words.