Tulsi Fights Back Against Big Tech's Dangerous Dominance

News Release from Gabbard Campaign, July 25th, 2019

On June 28th, 2019 in the immediate hours following the first Democratic Presidential debate, millions of Americans were searching online for information about Tulsi Gabbard.  In fact, according to multiple news reports, Tulsi was the most searched candidate on Google.  Then, without any explanation, Google suspended Tulsi’s Google Ads account.  

For hours, Tulsi’s campaign advertising account remained offline while Americans everywhere were searching for information about her.  During this time, Google obfuscated and dissembled with a series of inconsistent and incoherent reasons for its actions.  In the end, Google never explained to us why Tulsi’s account was suspended.   

Google controls 88 percent of all internet search in the United States – essentially giving it control over our access to information.  That’s one reason why Tulsi has been a vocal proponent of breaking up the tech monopolies.  And no matter what the motivation was for doing so, Google’s arbitrary and capricious decision to suspend Tulsi’s Google Ads account during a critical moment in our campaign should be of concern to all political candidates and in fact all Americans.  Because if Google can do this to Tulsi, a combat veteran and four term Congresswoman who is running for the nation’s highest office, Google can do this to any candidate, from any party, running for any office in the United States.

Big Tech’s dominance represents a clear and present danger to our democracy.  That’s why Tulsi is fighting back, and has filed a lawsuit against Google in federal court.  Today’s New York Times reported on the lawsuit filed by our campaign against Google.  

Tulsi gave this statement to the NYT:  “Google’s discriminatory actions against my campaign are reflective of how dangerous their complete dominance over internet search is, and how the increasing dominance of big tech companies over our public discourse threatens our core American values.  This is a threat to free speech, fair elections and to our democracy, and I intend to fight back on behalf of all Americans.”  

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REASON: Tulsi Gabbard's $50 Million Lawsuit Against Google Is Another Attack on Online Free Speech

SA: Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard sues Google for $50 million

SA: Gabbard versus Google

NYT:   Tulsi Gabbard, Democratic Presidential Candidate, Sues Google for $50 Million

Fox: Tulsi Gabbard sues Google, alleging 'election interference' after Dem debate

DB: Tulsi Gabbard Sues Google for $50 Million Over ‘Free Speech’ Violations  

CB: If Gabbard’s allegations turn out to be true, it will represent a remarkable point in modern American history: a tech company trying to take down a presidential candidate.  

DC: Tulsi Gabbard Sues Google

CNS: Gabbard Files $50M Suit Over Hours-Long Google Ad Suspension