Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed a lawsuit asking a court to declare Google a public utility that should be regulated as such. Yost said Google uses its dominance in internet search to lead people to its own products, a practice he deemed discriminatory and anti-competitive. The lawsuit, filed in Delaware County Common Pleas Court, is believed to be the first of its kind, Yost's office said.
More specifically, the lawsuit seeks a legal declaration that Google is a common carrier, like phone, gas and electric companies, which must provide its services to anyone willing to pay its fee. Instead of a fee, Google collects user data that is monetised primarily by selling targeted advertisements, Youst argues in the complaint. Yost argues Google should therefore not be able to prioritise placement of its own products, services and websites on its search results pages. The lawsuit does not seek monetary changes.
Google said Search is designed to provide people with the most relevant and helpful results and the Ohio lawsuit would make it harder for small businesses to connect directly with customers.
In December, Ohio joined 37 other state attorney general accusing Google of violating anti-trust laws. That complaint also claimed Google unfairly gives preference to its own sites and services over competitors in search results.
