Google CEO lashes out at Microsoft in defense of search practices at US trial

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, reacts during a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior officials and CEOs of American and Indian companies in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., June 23, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
WASHINGTON, Oct 30 (Reuters) – Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, criticized Microsoft’s browser Monday in a once-in-a generation antitrust fight with the U.S. government while arguing his company’s browser and internet search were easy to use and secure.
Pichai testified in a trial that will determine whether Google acted illegally to maintain its dominance of online search and parts of search advertising. If the government wins, the company may be forced to scrap some business practices that have helped it stay on top.
In testimony Monday morning, Pichai took a couple of swipes at Microsoft’s (MSFT.O) browser, Internet Explorer.
Before Google launched its Chrome browser, which competes with the Microsoft product, Pichai said,