3C Criticizes DOJ’s Radical Proposals Ahead of Google Search Case Remedies Hearing

WASHINGTON (April 21, 2025) — Connected Commerce Council (3C) Executive Director Rob Retzlaff today issued the following statement ahead of a remedies hearing during which U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta will consider sweeping changes to Google’s search business. The hearing marks the final stage in the United States v. Google LLC trial.

“The Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) proposed ‘remedies’ would deal a devastating blow to the U.S. small business community — breaking a sophisticated system of affordable digital tools that help millions of American small businesses grow, compete, and succeed. Breaking this integrated system would make it harder and more expensive to operate – something small businesses can’t absorb nor afford.

“The DOJ’s radical proposals go far beyond addressing the contractual issues Judge Mehta identified in his August 5, 2024 ruling, and would badly disrupt the digital ecosystem — punishing the small businesses that benefit from Google’s integrated tools and services, rather than remedying contractual malfeasance. 

“We urge Judge Mehta to consider the extraordinary implications of his decision for millions of small businesses that leverage Google’s integrated search tools to thrive in today’s challenging and uncertain economy.”