The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is taking a significant step in its ongoing antitrust case against Alphabet's Google by requesting a judge to mandate the sale of its Chrome browser, according to a recent Bloomberg report.
In addition to the Chrome sale, the DOJ aims to implement measures related to artificial intelligence (AI) and Google's Android smartphone operating system. This follows a previous August ruling where the judge found Google guilty of illegally monopolizing the search market.
Google's Chrome browser holds an estimated two-thirds of the global browser market, making it a crucial component of the company's ad revenue. By controlling Chrome, Google influences how users navigate the internet and the advertisements they encounter, primarily through its default use of Google search and the collection of user data.
The DOJ has declined to comment on the latest developments. Meanwhile, Google has responded through Lee-Anne Mulholland, Vice President of Google Regulatory Affairs, criticizing the DOJ's actions as a \"radical agenda\" that could harm consumers.
This move by the DOJ represents one of the most aggressive efforts by the Biden administration to dismantle what it perceives as monopolistic practices within Big Tech. However, the outcome of the case may be influenced by the political landscape, particularly the potential re-election of Donald Trump, who has previously expressed both intentions to prosecute Google for alleged biases and later questioned the necessity of breaking up the company.
Google has announced plans to appeal the judge's final ruling, expected by August 2025, with a trial on remedy proposals scheduled for April. The DOJ has proposed a range of remedies, from ending exclusive agreements with companies like Apple to divesting parts of Google's business, including Chrome and the Android operating system.
While Chrome's dominant market share drives significant revenue for Google, the company argues that its search engine remains competitive due to robust alternatives like Amazon. Google also points out that users have the option to choose different search engines as their defaults.
The DOJ retains the authority to determine whether selling Chrome is necessary based on whether other remedies successfully foster a more competitive market, as reported by Bloomberg.
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DOJ to ask judge to force Google to sell off Chrome, Bloomberg reports
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