5 Antitrust Storms Brewing for Big Tech in 2025

Under the radar, but one of the biggest trends of 2024, was a global increase in antitrust cases against Big Tech.

Bolstered by the implementation of new regulatory frameworks, new battle lines are being drawn globally, and authorities are catching up to the ever-constant changes in technology.

For users, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to make an online search, purchase, or send a message without a Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, or Microsoft account.

Regulators have rounded up the usual suspects, and the stage is set for tech giants to go on trial in 2025. Could this be the beginning of the end for the technology oligarchy?

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Major Big Tech Antitrust Cases for 2025
3. The Bottom Line
4. FAQs
5. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. Key Takeaways
2. Major Big Tech Antitrust Cases for 2025
3. The Bottom Line
Show Full Guide
4. FAQs
5. References

The big five tech companies we are discussing today have already spent over €33 million lobbying EU institutions. But will deep pockets and an army of lawyers be enough with a new U.S. President heading into office with a few scores to settle?

In 2020, the Trump administration famously launched a lawsuit against Google for its dominance in internet search. President Trump has repeatedly accused Big Tech of being politically biased against him and has a history of going after those that he believes have wronged him.

So, the courtrooms are booked. Here is what we can expect as trials begin in 2025.

Major Big Tech Antitrust Cases for 2025

5. Meta Faces Legal Battles Over Instagram and WhatsApp Mergers

History once again repeats itself for Mark Zuckerberg as the FTC continues to stand firm behind its belief that Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp were designed to stifle competition. Although the charge was dismissed in 2021, the FTC has refiled its case with a court date booked for April 14, 2025.

The European Commission is also investigating Meta’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act, particularly its “pay or consent” model for user data. Separately, in yet another case, a €582 million lawsuit brought by media companies in Spain alleges unfair competition and misuse of user data for personalized advertising.

Zuckerberg is not on his own when it comes to CEOs under fire. Google CEO Sundar Pichai also faces multiple antitrust charges despite declaring that the company’s search engine will “change profoundly” in 2025.

4. Google Under Fire for Alleged Monopolistic Practices

The problems first began for Google in August when U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled it illegally monopolized the online search market. This historic decision marked the first time in decades that the U.S. government had succeeded in proving such a case against a major tech firm.

A second antitrust trial focusing on Google’s advertising technology followed in September. The DoJ is backed up by eight states that have joined forces to accuse Google of acquiring competitors and coercing publishers and advertisers into using its ad tools.

Regulators are not messing — with calls for Google to be broken up, potentially meaning Chrome needs to split out into its own company.

On the other side of the pond, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating Google’s ad practices, with findings expected by late 2025.

While Google’s dominance in online search and advertising comes into question, one of its biggest rivals, Apple, has a stack of antitrust cases building up throughout 2025.

3. Apple Prepares to Battle Antitrust Lawsuits on Multiple Fronts

The European Commission famously fined Apple €1.8 billion in March 2024 for violating competition rules related to music streaming services. Although it appealed the decision, Apple continues to face increasing challenges on both sides of the Atlantic.

Apple is currently facing multiple antitrust cases in the U.S. and Europe. The charges are directed at Apple’s dominance in the smartphone industry and app marketplace. In March 2024, the DOJ filed a lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the company used its monopoly power to stifle competition, inflate prices, and restrict third-party apps and services.

The DOJ and 15 states collectively claim that Apple limits interoperability with rival smartwatches and blocks cross-platform messaging features. Apple denied the allegations, filing a motion to dismiss the case and arguing that its business practices enhance user experience and security.

2. Antitrust Struggle for Amazon in U.S. and European Courts

Amazon is facing mounting legal challenges in 2025 as antitrust cases put the e-commerce giant under intense scrutiny. In the U.S., a trial is set for June 2025, where the FTC accuses Amazon of misleading consumers into subscribing to its Prime membership program.

The latest case follows allegations filed in September 2024 by the FTC and 17 states that claim Amazon maintains its monopoly by squeezing sellers and enforcing policies that artificially inflate consumer prices.

There is a possability that Amazon could also face an antitrust investigation in Europe under the DMA.

The European Commission is reportedly compiling evidence that Amazon’s Marketplace favors its branded products, potentially leading to fines of up to 10% of the company’s annual turnover.

1. Regulatory Battles Intensify For Microsoft in Cloud and AI

The FTC has also recently launched an investigation of Microsoft’s business practices. The federal agency appears to have Microsoft’s cloud services, AI offerings, and cybersecurity tools firmly in its sights.

This latest move follows concerns previously raised in the European Union over Microsoft’s software bundling practices, such as tying Teams to its Office suite.

In the UK, a £1 billion lawsuit accuses Microsoft of overcharging businesses that use rival cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Alibaba by imposing higher licensing fees for its Windows Server software that does not run on Microsoft infrastructure.

However, Microsoft has more to worry about than regulators. Google recently intensified its rivalry with them by filing a formal complaint with the European Commission, alleging antitrust violations tied to Microsoft’s dominance in enterprise server software. All gloves are off as skirmishes continue to break out everywhere.

The Bottom Line

On the stock market, the so-called “Magnificent Seven” consists of Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Tesla, Meta, and Nvidia. Collectively, they represent half of the weighting of the Nasdaq. Depending on your viewpoint, Big Tech is either propping up the stock market or has a disproportional influence.

Sensing an opportunity to right a few wrongs, regulators are gaining the upper hand by pushing back against monopolistic practices that stifle competition and innovation.

This means that the regulatory tide is turning against Big Tech. The global increase in lawsuits, antitrust cases, and investigations has revealed chinks in the armor of tech companies that are not used to being reined in.

Is it the Magnificent Seven or the Naughty Five? 2024 provided a timely reminder that unchecked power often leads to its downfall. Or to quote a movie: you either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

FAQs