A leading German government official has voiced strong support for the dismantling of Google, expressing optimism that the United States may soon lend its backing to such an action.
Wolfram Weimer, Minister for Culture and Media, characterized the concentration of power, media influence and opinion formation within a single American platform as a significant challenge. In a recent podcast interview with ntv, Weimer, a former media executive, argued that Google actively stifles the competition of diverse viewpoints. “It penetrates so deeply into the collective will-building that one must question: Do we seriously want to allow things to proceed like this?
Weimer’s position is also rooted in economic concerns. He underscored that monopolies are detrimental to a healthy market, citing the dwindling advertising revenues experienced by independent media outlets – local newspapers, magazines, television stations and radio – as a direct consequence of advertising shifting overwhelmingly towards Google, particularly due to the company’s AI-powered search engine, Gemini. “I am a proponent of a market economy, as was Ludwig Erhard” Weimer stated, adding that even Erhard would likely advocate for Google’s dissolution.
Drawing parallels from US economic history, Weimer pointed to instances where Washington intervened to break up monopolies in crucial sectors. He cited the historical dismantling of monopolies within the energy, oil and banking industries as precedent. “One invariably assumes that Americans adhere to the dictates of big capital. This isn’t the case, as they harbor a deep conviction in the value of competition.
While acknowledging that the likelihood of such action was diminished during the presidency of Donald Trump, Weimer anticipates a shift in sentiment. He predicts that within the next decade, the call for Google’s dissolution will gain majority support in the United States.