Organized Money The Woman Who Defeated Google
Feb 13, 2025
Doha Mekki, the former head of the DOJ Antitrust Division, shares her insights from landmark cases, including the Google search case. She likens antitrust enforcement to 'policing for white collar crime,' all while operating on a budget dwarfed by tech giants. Mekki delves into the complexities of investigating monopolies, emphasizing the role of citizen tips and expert testimony. She discusses the generational shift in attitudes toward antitrust, highlighting a newfound willingness among younger conservatives to support government intervention in the market.
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Live Nation Ticketmaster Investigation
- Doha Mekki's team investigated Live Nation Ticketmaster for abusing its power over artists and ticketing.
- The ongoing case, pending in Manhattan federal court, highlights Live Nation Ticketmaster as a behemoth in the live music industry.
Behavioral Economics in Antitrust
- Doha Mekki's team used behavioral economists to explain the human element of default settings in the Google case.
- This novel approach helped the judge understand how defaults influence user behavior and limit choice.
Impact of Google Case Victory
- The Google case victory demonstrated that the government can successfully challenge powerful tech companies.
- It reaffirmed the applicability of antitrust laws to digital markets and the open internet.