Prompt, Context, and Background:

Attorney General William Barr on October 20, 2020 said Today, millions of Americans rely on the Internet and online platforms for their daily lives. Competition in this industry is vitally important, which is why today's challenge against Google the gatekeeper of the Internet for violating antitrust laws is a monumental case both for the Department of Justice and for the American people On January 24, 2023 Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said "Today's complaint alleges that Google has used anticompetitive, exclusionary, and unlawful conduct to eliminate or severely diminish any threat to its dominance over digital advertising technologies," and "No matter the industry and no matter the company, the Justice Department will vigorously enforce our antitrust laws to protect consumers, safeguard competition, and ensure economic fairness and opportunity for all." There is nearly an infinite number of other items out there to read; some straightforward, some involving complex theories and ideas, even readings that are agenda driven. Our role in this assignment is to separate fact from fiction, identify the issues and relate them to the idea of regulatory impact on both firms and industries.

Questions to Answer: 1. Alphabet Inc, is formally the parent company of Google; we focus here on the entire company. The first question to ask here is "does the stock market care" about the inquiry of the Justice Department into Google's activities? To simplify the analytical work on this, please find the table below which shows the monthly % growth in "adjusted closing price" using daily data from Yahoo.com for three ticker symbols. The raw data and some of the transformations are found in the optional spreadsheet file "ECON605ASST_Data."

*****Make sure the answers to a and b below are 2 paragraphs or 2 bullet points with 4-6 sentences if possible. I am trying to make the answers for a and b at least 1 page long (double-spaced) in a word document.*****

A. Of course, you must identify what "entities" each ticker symbol represents. If the market is worried over the inquiry, what would you expect to see comparing the data here on stock performance? Fully explain why within, at most, 2 paragraphs.

B. Considering the background readings provided - and maybe others you have found on your own - do you see evidence that the market sees an impact on the share prices of GOOG related to the DOJ inquiry? Fully explain within, at most 2 paragraphs.

2. Considering the material in Chapter 11 and Module W5&66, as well as the background reading material for this assignment and any readings you do on your own, provide a 1 and a half page summary of the behaviors or actions of Google identified by the DOJ as being anti-competitive. Please format this as a list of issues with an explanation of each, put at least 3 specific and separate issues in your answer.

*****Make sure every part of question number 2 is answered please and please make the summary/answer long enough to where as I can try to make it 1/2 (preferably a little less than 2 pages) on a word document (double-spaced).*****

3. Considering the material in Chapter 11 and Module W5&6, as well as the background reading material for this assignment and any readings you do on your own, provide a 1 and a half page summary of how Google has responded to the items listed above in number 2. Please format this by listing each issue raised by DOJ and what Google's response is, or is thought to be. The word count does not matter as long as there are paragraphs and 1 and a half pages.

*****Make sure every part of question number 3 is answered please and please make the summary/answer long enough to where as I can try to make it 1/2 (preferably a little less than 2 pages) on a word document (double-spaced).*****

4. A ruling on the DOJ action against Google is likely after the completion of this academic semester. If the ruling finds that Google engaged in anticompetitive behavior, identify and cite 2 remedies the DOJ would be able to implement. Explain how each would impact the competitiveness of the markets Google operates in.

*****Make sure every part of question number 4 is answered please and please make the summary/answer long enough to where as I can try to make it around 2 pages on a word document (double-spaced).*****

Reading List "Google" Shane Greenstein. "So what exactly is Google accused of?" Mike Scarcella. Explainer: Why is the US suing Google for antitrust violations? Shumpteter, The Economist "How to think about the Google anti-monopoly trail" file available Solcyre Burga "How Google's Antitrust Trail Could Change Internet Search," Dara Kerr, United States takes on Google in biggest tech monopoly trail of 21st century" DOJ "Justice Department Sues Google for Monopolizing Digital Advertising Technologies" Press Release 1/24/23 Has a useful infographic. Jennifer Huttleston, "Google's Antitrust Trail Starts: What's at Sake and Why This Case Matters."