The logo of Google LLC is shown at an entrance to one of their buildings in San Diego, California, U.S., October 9, 2024. REUTERS
Nov 18 (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear an appeal in an antitrust lawsuit by 17 U.S. states against Google, leaving in place a ruling that a South Carolina agency must release records the Alphabet (GOOGL.O), unit is seeking for its defense.
Google, which the states accuse of holding an illegal monopoly over digital advertising, subpoenaed South Carolina’s parks, recreation and tourism agency for records about how it rated and used the company’s ad services.
South Carolina is a plaintiff in the Google case, but the parks agency fought the records request because it was not an “arm of the state” and therefore not obligated to comply.
Google persuaded the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reject the immunity argument in June, upholding a lower court’s decision.
The South Carolina agency had argued the case presented an important question of individual agencies’ independence from the actions of a state attorney general.
The Supreme Court declined, to hear the case without explanation.
Google and the South Carolina agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Google has denied the underlying antitrust claims. It said dozens of agencies from other states involved in the antitrust lawsuit complied with the tech company’s demands for information.
The case is South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism v. Google, U.S. Supreme Court, No. 24-377
