The US has accused Google of anticompetitive practices in a major legal trial.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges Google has used its search dominance to stifle competition and innovation. 

The 10-week trial will decide if Google manipulated the market by making its search engine the default on various platforms. 

Key figures, including Alphabet's CEO Sundar Pichai, may testify. 

The lawsuit, filed nearly three years ago, claims Google pays billions to secure its default status on devices like the iPhone, giving it an unfair edge.

Google argues it faces competition from various sources, but the DOJ claims its data advantage perpetuates its dominance. 

The government says Google initiated these practices over 15 years ago and even pressured Apple into making it the default on its devices.

The trial's outcome could impact Google's default status deals or potentially distract the company, paralleling Microsoft's post-antitrust struggles, which Google exploited to become a tech powerhouse.