The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is urging a judge to mandate the sale of Google’s Chrome browser in an antitrust case aimed at curbing Google’s monopoly in the search market.
Following a 10-week trial last year, Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google broke antitrust laws in online search and search text ads markets. The ABA Journal reports that, according to people familiar with the matter, DOJ officials and several states that have joined the case are pushing to force Google to change its behavior regarding its Android smartphone operating system, artificial intelligence, and data licensing.
Google’s ability to watch the activity of its signed-in users on Chrome allows it to more effectively target its Google ads, which make up a great portion of its revenue. Google’s ownership of Chrome also gives it significant leverage to steer users toward its products, such as its AI tool Gemini.
Some believe that separating Chrome from Google could lead to a more competitive landscape. However, a sale might not be imposed immediately if alternative measures, such as stricter data licensing rules, add competition back into the market.
Google has faced backlash over its AI strategies, particularly its “AI Overviews” feature in search results. This system displays answers directly in search, reducing traffic to publishers. Publishers are effectively prevented from opting out of Google’s AI overviews because doing so would risk pushing them far down in search rankings.
According to the ABA Journal, antitrust officials decided against forcing Google to divest Android but are pushing for other structural changes, such as unbundling Android from Google’s search and app services.
Judge Mehta set a two-week April hearing to determine what Google must do to remedy the antitrust violations and intends to issue a final ruling by August.
Google’s planned appeal indicates its resistance to these measures, while potential buyers for Chrome remain uncertain. Analysts suggest that even tech firms like Amazon may face regulatory barriers to such acquisitions. Observers argue that while forced divestitures could level the playing field, enforcement complexities and industry resistance might limit the effectiveness of these remedies.
Additional Reading
DOJ will push Google to sell Chrome to break monopoly on search market, ABA Journal (November 19, 2024)
US lawyers will reportedly try to force Google to sell Chrome and unbundle Android, The Verge (November 18, 2024)
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