Washington, D.C. – The American Economic Liberties Project released the following statement in response to news that Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed suit against Google, calling on the court to declare Google a public utility and end its practice of self-preferencing through Google Search.

“In taking aim at Google’s well-documented practice of self-preferencing, the suit filed today by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost challenges one of the most harmful ways Google abuses its dominance,” said Pat Garofalo, Director of State and Local Policy at the American Economic Liberties Project. “This suit comes on the heels of the New York state Senate passing a new and stronger antitrust bill to take on the power of big tech firms. Further, it comes as coalition of 38 state and territorial AGs, including Ohio AG Yost, are engaged in an antitrust suit to break up Google.”

“Policymakers are increasingly recognizing the public nature of this firm’s various lines of business. Together, these actions, from break-ups to common carriage rules, will end Google’s dominance over our markets and our society,” added Garofalo.

“We’re encouraged to see more states take on the fight against Big Tech. Congress should act to build on these efforts, and President Biden should quickly appoint a full slate of smart, aggressive antitrust enforcers at the DOJ and FTC,” said Garofalo.

“For more information about Google’s practice of self-preferencing, you can read “The Truth About Google, Facebook, and Small Businesses.”

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The American Economic Liberties Project works to ensure America’s system of commerce is structured to advance, rather than undermine, economic liberty, fair commerce, and a secure, inclusive democracy. Economic Liberties believes true economic liberty means entrepreneurs and businesses large and small succeed on the merits of their ideas and hard work; commerce empowers consumers, workers, farmers, and engineers instead of subjecting them to discrimination and abuse from financiers and monopolists; foreign trade arrangements support domestic security and democracy; and wealth is broadly distributed to support equitable political power.