{"id":2911,"date":"2023-02-19T16:11:07","date_gmt":"2023-02-19T16:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/chapter\/apply-it-5-5-consumer-protection-laws\/"},"modified":"2025-05-12T17:12:26","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T17:12:26","slug":"apply-it-5-5-consumer-protection-laws","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/chapter\/apply-it-5-5-consumer-protection-laws\/","title":{"raw":"Apply It 5.5: Consumer Protection Laws","rendered":"Apply It 5.5: Consumer Protection Laws"},"content":{"raw":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Recognize laws that protect consumers&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:14720,&quot;10&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0},&quot;15&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;16&quot;:10}\">Recognize laws that protect consumers<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Understand how antitrust legislation benefits consumers&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:14720,&quot;10&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0},&quot;15&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;16&quot;:10}\">Understand how antitrust legislation benefits consumers<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h2>Consumer Protection<\/h2>\r\n<section class=\"textbox linkToLearning\">\r\n<h3>Federal Trade Commission<\/h3>\r\n<p>One of the federal agencies that works to protect consumers is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\/\">the FTC website<\/a> and explore the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>How can you check your credit report for free?<br \/>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"880025\"]Click to Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"880025\"]Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/352064477\">this short video<\/a> to learn why a credit report is important and how you can see yours for free.[\/hidden-answer]<\/li>\r\n\t<li>What is identity theft and how do you report it?<br \/>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"566864\"]Click to Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"566864\"]Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\/articles\/what-know-about-identity-theft\">this webpage that tells you what identity theft is<\/a> and what you can do to protect yourself.[\/hidden-answer]<\/li>\r\n\t<li>How do you tell if a money-making opportunity is real or a scam?<br \/>\r\n[reveal-answer q=\"973301\"]Click to Show Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"973301\"]The FTC explains <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\/articles\/how-avoid-scam\">common signs of scams<\/a> on their website. Don't be fooled![\/hidden-answer]<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h2>Antitrust Laws<\/h2>\r\n<section class=\"textbox connectIt\">\r\n<h3>Is Google a Monopoly?<\/h3>\r\n<p>Google has faced significant legal scrutiny over its dominance in online search and digital advertising. In August 2024, a federal judge ruled that Google had illegally maintained a monopoly in the search engine market, citing its multibillion-dollar agreements with companies like Apple to secure default search engine status on devices.[footnote]Belanger, Ashley. 2024. \u201cGoogle Loses DOJ\u2019s Big Monopoly Trial over Search Business.\u201d Ars Technica. August 5, 2024. https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/tech-policy\/2024\/08\/google-loses-dojs-big-monopoly-trial-over-search-business\/[\/footnote] In April 2025, another federal court found that Google had unlawfully monopolized the digital advertising market by using its control over key advertising tools\u2014like the software websites used to sell ad space and the system that runs the auctions for those ads\u2014to shut out competitors.[footnote]Liedtke, Michael. 2025. \u201cGoogle\u2019s Digital Ad Network Declared an Illegal Monopoly.\u201d AP News. April 17, 2025. https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/google-illegal-monopoly-advertising-search-a1e4446c4870903ed05c03a2a03b581e[\/footnote]<\/p>\r\n<p>To make the tech industry more competitive, the U.S. Department of Justice has suggested that Google should be required to separate some of its businesses. For example, Google might have to sell off its Chrome web browser or its advertising tools so that no single company controls so many parts of how people use the internet and how ads are sold online.[footnote]Snyder, Brady. 2025. \u201cGoogle Calls the US Department of Justice\u2019s Proposed Antitrust Remedies \u2018Extreme.\u2019\u201d Android Central. May 9, 2025. https:\/\/www.androidcentral.com\/apps-software\/google-calls-the-us-department-of-justices-antitrust-remedies-extreme[\/footnote]<\/p>\r\n<h4>Do you believe that Google\u2019s business practices constitute a monopoly?<\/h4>\r\n<p>[reveal-answer q=\"617200\"]Click to Show Sample Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"617200\"]Whether or not Google is a monopoly depends on how you define the market. Some argue that Google\u2019s dominant share of search traffic (over 85% globally) and its ability to set the terms for advertising on the web give it monopoly power. They point to Google\u2019s exclusive contracts with phone and browser companies as limiting competition and consumer choice. Others argue that consumers freely choose Google because its products are effective and easy to use, not because of a lack of options. From that perspective, Google is simply a successful company\u2014not a monopoly.[\/hidden-answer]<\/p>\r\n<h4>How might breaking up parts of Google\u2019s business impact consumers, advertisers, and the tech industry as a whole?<\/h4>\r\n<p>[reveal-answer q=\"959505\"]Click to Show Sample Answer[\/reveal-answer]<br \/>\r\n[hidden-answer a=\"959505\"]Answers will vary.<\/p>\r\n<p>Breaking up parts of Google\u2019s business could have several effects. For consumers, it might encourage more competition, which could mean better privacy protections and more innovation. However, users could lose the seamless experience of connected services, such as searching in Chrome or syncing data across Google tools.<\/p>\r\n<p>Advertisers might benefit from lower costs and more platform options, but they may also face more complexity in managing ads across different systems.<\/p>\r\n<p>For the tech industry, a breakup could level the playing field for smaller firms, encouraging new startups to enter the market. On the flip side, it might reduce the efficiency and speed of development that come from integrated tools within a large company like Google.[\/hidden-answer]<\/p>\r\n<\/section>","rendered":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\n<ul>\n<li><span data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Recognize laws that protect consumers&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:14720,&quot;10&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0},&quot;15&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;16&quot;:10}\">Recognize laws that protect consumers<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;Understand how antitrust legislation benefits consumers&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:14720,&quot;10&quot;:0,&quot;11&quot;:4,&quot;14&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:0},&quot;15&quot;:&quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;16&quot;:10}\">Understand how antitrust legislation benefits consumers<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<h2>Consumer Protection<\/h2>\n<section class=\"textbox linkToLearning\">\n<h3>Federal Trade Commission<\/h3>\n<p>One of the federal agencies that works to protect consumers is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\/\">the FTC website<\/a> and explore the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How can you check your credit report for free?\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q880025\">Click to Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q880025\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/352064477\">this short video<\/a> to learn why a credit report is important and how you can see yours for free.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>What is identity theft and how do you report it?\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q566864\">Click to Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q566864\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\/articles\/what-know-about-identity-theft\">this webpage that tells you what identity theft is<\/a> and what you can do to protect yourself.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>How do you tell if a money-making opportunity is real or a scam?\n<div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q973301\">Click to Show Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q973301\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">The FTC explains <a href=\"https:\/\/consumer.ftc.gov\/articles\/how-avoid-scam\">common signs of scams<\/a> on their website. Don&#8217;t be fooled!<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<h2>Antitrust Laws<\/h2>\n<section class=\"textbox connectIt\">\n<h3>Is Google a Monopoly?<\/h3>\n<p>Google has faced significant legal scrutiny over its dominance in online search and digital advertising. In August 2024, a federal judge ruled that Google had illegally maintained a monopoly in the search engine market, citing its multibillion-dollar agreements with companies like Apple to secure default search engine status on devices.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Belanger, Ashley. 2024. \u201cGoogle Loses DOJ\u2019s Big Monopoly Trial over Search Business.\u201d Ars Technica. August 5, 2024. https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/tech-policy\/2024\/08\/google-loses-dojs-big-monopoly-trial-over-search-business\/\" id=\"return-footnote-2911-1\" href=\"#footnote-2911-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a> In April 2025, another federal court found that Google had unlawfully monopolized the digital advertising market by using its control over key advertising tools\u2014like the software websites used to sell ad space and the system that runs the auctions for those ads\u2014to shut out competitors.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Liedtke, Michael. 2025. \u201cGoogle\u2019s Digital Ad Network Declared an Illegal Monopoly.\u201d AP News. April 17, 2025. https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/google-illegal-monopoly-advertising-search-a1e4446c4870903ed05c03a2a03b581e\" id=\"return-footnote-2911-2\" href=\"#footnote-2911-2\" aria-label=\"Footnote 2\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p>To make the tech industry more competitive, the U.S. Department of Justice has suggested that Google should be required to separate some of its businesses. For example, Google might have to sell off its Chrome web browser or its advertising tools so that no single company controls so many parts of how people use the internet and how ads are sold online.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Snyder, Brady. 2025. \u201cGoogle Calls the US Department of Justice\u2019s Proposed Antitrust Remedies \u2018Extreme.\u2019\u201d Android Central. May 9, 2025. https:\/\/www.androidcentral.com\/apps-software\/google-calls-the-us-department-of-justices-antitrust-remedies-extreme\" id=\"return-footnote-2911-3\" href=\"#footnote-2911-3\" aria-label=\"Footnote 3\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<h4>Do you believe that Google\u2019s business practices constitute a monopoly?<\/h4>\n<p><div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q617200\">Click to Show Sample Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q617200\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">Whether or not Google is a monopoly depends on how you define the market. Some argue that Google\u2019s dominant share of search traffic (over 85% globally) and its ability to set the terms for advertising on the web give it monopoly power. They point to Google\u2019s exclusive contracts with phone and browser companies as limiting competition and consumer choice. Others argue that consumers freely choose Google because its products are effective and easy to use, not because of a lack of options. From that perspective, Google is simply a successful company\u2014not a monopoly.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>How might breaking up parts of Google\u2019s business impact consumers, advertisers, and the tech industry as a whole?<\/h4>\n<p><div class=\"qa-wrapper\" style=\"display: block\"><button class=\"show-answer show-answer-button collapsed\" data-target=\"q959505\">Click to Show Sample Answer<\/button><\/p>\n<div id=\"q959505\" class=\"hidden-answer\" style=\"display: none\">Answers will vary.<\/p>\n<p>Breaking up parts of Google\u2019s business could have several effects. For consumers, it might encourage more competition, which could mean better privacy protections and more innovation. However, users could lose the seamless experience of connected services, such as searching in Chrome or syncing data across Google tools.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisers might benefit from lower costs and more platform options, but they may also face more complexity in managing ads across different systems.<\/p>\n<p>For the tech industry, a breakup could level the playing field for smaller firms, encouraging new startups to enter the market. On the flip side, it might reduce the efficiency and speed of development that come from integrated tools within a large company like Google.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-2911-1\">Belanger, Ashley. 2024. \u201cGoogle Loses DOJ\u2019s Big Monopoly Trial over Search Business.\u201d Ars Technica. August 5, 2024. https:\/\/arstechnica.com\/tech-policy\/2024\/08\/google-loses-dojs-big-monopoly-trial-over-search-business\/ <a href=\"#return-footnote-2911-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-2911-2\">Liedtke, Michael. 2025. \u201cGoogle\u2019s Digital Ad Network Declared an Illegal Monopoly.\u201d AP News. April 17, 2025. https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/google-illegal-monopoly-advertising-search-a1e4446c4870903ed05c03a2a03b581e <a href=\"#return-footnote-2911-2\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 2\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-2911-3\">Snyder, Brady. 2025. \u201cGoogle Calls the US Department of Justice\u2019s Proposed Antitrust Remedies \u2018Extreme.\u2019\u201d Android Central. May 9, 2025. https:\/\/www.androidcentral.com\/apps-software\/google-calls-the-us-department-of-justices-antitrust-remedies-extreme <a href=\"#return-footnote-2911-3\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 3\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":21,"menu_order":29,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[]","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"part":2878,"module-header":"apply_it","content_attributions":[],"internal_book_links":[],"video_content":null,"cc_video_embed_content":{"cc_scripts":"","media_targets":[]},"try_it_collection":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2911"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2911\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9183,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2911\/revisions\/9183"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/2878"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2911\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=2911"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=2911"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontobusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=2911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}