Prof G Markets Google Dodges a Breakup, China’s Growing Trade With Africa & Anthropic’s $183B Valuation
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Sep 4, 2025 
Jonathan Kanter, former Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division of the DOJ, shares insights on the recent court ruling that allows Google to maintain its business structure amidst monopolization claims. He discusses the implications for accountability in big tech. The conversation also reveals how China is forming stronger trade ties with African nations, reshaping global alliances. Finally, Anthropic's staggering $183 billion valuation is unveiled, highlighting the influence of Gulf capital in the tech industry.
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Court Finds Monopoly But Limits Remedies
- Judge Mehta found Google an illegal monopolist but imposed narrow, cautious remedies instead of structural breakup.
- The ruling allows payments for default placement while banning exclusives, creating confusing enforcement questions.
AI Competition Used To Justify Lighter Sanctions
- The court justified lenient remedies by pointing to rapid AI competition from OpenAI, Anthropic, Perplexity and big investors.
- Jonathan Kanter says this rationale risks rewarding past illegal conduct and undermining deterrence.
Make Enforcement A Real Deterrent
- Enforcers must ensure consequences outweigh benefits of illegal conduct to deter future violations.
- If remedies are mere slaps, firms will treat lawbreaking as a cost of doing business.