noncompetes work even when illegal and unenforceable. Why, because you or many of your potential employers don't want the massive cost and emotional toll of being sued - even if you win you lose. That's all google, facebook, microsoft, etc. you know the companies that we KNOW are guilty of operating a cartel to drive down wages. That's all they need. This baseless illegal, legally unenforcable contract provision means they can use to impose a huge fine on you that is a negligible, non-material business expense to them even when they lose and you win in court. They win and you lose in real life.

Law is supposed to exist so the strongest might not always get their way. The law totally and utterly fails when it comes to non-competes. There are incentives to abuse them and no meaningful consequences.

Cue the apologists working for the big silicon valley players...