The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken a bold step towards ending Google’s dominance in the online search market, which currently holds approximately 90% of the share. In a court filing submitted on Wednesday, the DOJ outlined extensive measures aimed at dismantling what it deems an illegal monopoly.
Among the DOJ’s demands is for Alphabet’s Google to divest its Chrome browser and to share critical data and search results with competitors. These changes would subject Google to stringent regulation for the next decade, placing the company under the continuous oversight of a Washington federal court that previously ruled against its monopolistic practices.
“Google's unlawful behavior has deprived rivals not only of critical distribution channels but also distribution partners who could otherwise enable entry into these markets by competitors in new and innovative ways,” the DOJ emphasized in its filing. This move is seen as a significant attempt to level the playing field and foster competition within the tech industry.
Google has responded by labeling the DOJ's proposals as radical and harmful, arguing that they could negatively impact U.S. consumers and businesses while undermining American competitiveness in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence. The company has announced its intention to appeal the DOJ’s demands.
The DOJ’s comprehensive approach includes barring Google from re-entering the browser market for five years and insisting on the sale of its Android mobile operating system if other remedies fail to restore competitive balance. Additionally, the DOJ seeks to prohibit Google from acquiring or investing in any search rivals, query-based AI products, or advertising technology.
A coalition of states is also pushing for the termination of exclusive agreements where Google compensates billions annually to companies like Apple to secure its search engine as the default on their devices. These agreements are seen as another means through which Google maintains its dominance in the market.
The court has scheduled a trial to review these proposals in April, although there is speculation that future political changes, including potential involvement from the DOJ’s next antitrust head, could influence the proceedings.
As the legal battle unfolds, the tech world watches closely, recognizing that the outcome could reshape the landscape of online search and digital competition in the United States.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
