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Google Fights DOJ’s Witness List Ahead of High-Stakes Antitrust Trial

By  |  August 29, 2024

As Google prepares for its upcoming trial with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) set for September 9th, the tech giant has raised significant objections to the list of witnesses proposed by the prosecution. The trial centers on accusations that Google has monopolized the digital advertising market by exerting control over both the buying and selling sides of online ads.

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    In a recent court filing, Google contested several of the names on the DOJ’s witness list for the trial, arguing that many of the individuals lack sufficient direct knowledge of the case. Among those disputed by Google is Brian O’Kelley, co-founder and CEO of Scope3, a company focused on ad tech, and former CEO of AppNexus, a major player in the industry. Google claims that O’Kelley, along with others on the list, does not possess the personal knowledge necessary to provide relevant testimony.

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    Google’s objections extend to several other industry leaders, including Jed Dederick, Chief Revenue Officer of The Trade Desk, one of the key companies in the ad tech space. The tech company contends that these figures could potentially offer biased or irrelevant perspectives due to their deep involvement in the industry.

    Related: Google Accuses US Government of Targeting Success in Antitrust Battle

    Alan Chapell, president of Chapell & Associates, a law firm specializing in privacy and data issues, suggests that Google’s move to challenge these witnesses is an attempt to minimize the presence of individuals who might provide damaging insights into its business practices. According to Chapell, Google appears keen to prevent testimony from those with extensive knowledge of the ad tech industry, particularly those who might criticize its methods.

    The final decision on which witnesses will be allowed to testify rests with Judge Leonie Brinkema, who will ultimately determine the relevance and admissibility of the contested witnesses. The outcome of this decision could significantly shape the direction of the DOJ trial, which is expected to have far-reaching implications for Google and the broader digital advertising industry.

    Source: ExchangeWire