In a recent podcast appearance, Jonathan Kanter, the former assistant attorney general for antitrust under the Biden administration, expressed his support for breaking up Google, citing the benefits it would bring to the internet. Kanter, who led the Department of Justice's (DOJ) antitrust cases against Google, believes that the company's dominance in web search and advertising has harmed publishers and users, and that a breakup would promote competition and innovation.

Kanter's team won two significant antitrust trials against Google, with the court ruling that the company illegally maintained its monopoly over web search and substantially harmed publishers and users with its advertising monopoly. The government is now seeking remedies, including the sale of Google's Chrome browser and making its search data more accessible to rivals. Additionally, the court may require Google to sell off part of its ad tech system.

Kanter's advocacy for breaking up Google is not new, but his recent comments come at a critical time, as the company faces increasing scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers. The DOJ's antitrust cases against Google are ongoing, with the second phase of the trial set to determine the remedies for the company's anticompetitive practices. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is pursuing a separate case against Meta, which could also result in the breakup of Instagram and WhatsApp.

Kanter's experience leading the DOJ's antitrust cases against Google provides unique insight into the complexities of building and winning such cases. He believes that the DOJ's Antitrust Division can still operate effectively under the new administration, despite concerns about political interference and the purge of non-loyalists. Kanter also expressed optimism about the FTC's case against Meta, which he hopes will continue to aggressively pursue tech regulation.

The debate around breaking up big tech companies like Google and Meta has gained momentum in recent years, with some prominent members of the new administration and the MAGA movement reaching a rare consensus with Democrats on the issue. However, the process of breaking up these companies would be complex and time-consuming, involving multiple court cases and regulatory battles.

As the antitrust cases against Google and Meta continue to unfold, Kanter's comments serve as a reminder of the importance of promoting competition and innovation in the tech industry. The outcome of these cases will have significant implications for the future of the internet and the companies that operate within it.

In the meantime, Kanter's podcast appearance has sparked a renewed conversation about the role of antitrust regulation in promoting a healthy and competitive tech industry. As the tech landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how policymakers and regulators will address the challenges posed by dominant companies like Google and Meta.