US lawyers are reportedly looking to make Google sell its Chrome browser and separate Android from its other services.
In a bold move to challenge Google’s search monopoly, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly preparing to request that the company be forced to sell its widely used Chrome browser, following a court ruling that confirmed Google’s illegal hold on the search market. According to Bloomberg, this action is part of a broader strategy to dismantle the tech giant’s monopolistic practices, particularly focusing on Chrome, Android, and its artificial intelligence (AI) products.
The DOJ’s lawyers are building their case around the argument that Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser, plays a crucial role in propelling Google’s search dominance. The government contends that Google’s cross-promotion of its services through Chrome severely restricts competition by limiting alternative platforms and reducing incentives for rival services to thrive. By forcing Google to divest Chrome, officials hope to disrupt this cycle and provide more opportunities for competing search engines and web services.
In addition to the browser, the DOJ is looking to separate Google’s Android operating system from its other services, including the Google Play Store and Google Search. However, the DOJ is not seeking to force a sale of Android outright. Instead, it is proposing a structural separation of Google’s mobile operating system from its other core businesses to prevent the company from using Android as a tool to reinforce its search monopoly.
The department’s demands would also push Google to be more transparent with advertisers. The DOJ is urging the company to share more data with advertisers, granting them greater control over where their ads appear. This move would address concerns about Google’s monopolistic control over the digital advertising ecosystem and ensure a more level playing field for competitors.
Another significant part of the DOJ’s proposal focuses on AI. Officials are reportedly aiming to compel Google to provide websites with more control over whether their content is used in Google’s AI systems. This would allow publishers to opt-out of having their content scraped and used to train Google’s AI models, which have been a subject of growing concern in the tech world.
Finally, the DOJ is pushing for a ban on the exclusive contracts that were central to the original antitrust case against Google. These agreements, which Google has used to lock in deals with key distribution partners, have been seen as an anti-competitive strategy that helps the company maintain its dominance across multiple services.
In response to these developments, Google’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, criticized the DOJ’s actions, calling the proposed measures a “radical agenda” that extends far beyond the legal issues at hand. Mulholland’s comments suggest that Google intends to vigorously defend its business practices, which it views as legal and beneficial for consumers.
As the legal battle continues, the outcome of this case could have major implications for Google’s business operations and the broader tech industry. If the DOJ’s proposals are accepted, it could signal a significant shift in how major tech companies are regulated in the US, especially in terms of their control over digital services, advertising, and emerging technologies like AI.