The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has proposed a series of sweeping measures aimed at breaking up the tech giant’s dominance in the online search market.
The most striking recommendation is the forced sale of Google’s popular Chrome browser, a move that could reshape the digital landscape.
The DOJ’s proposal, filed on Thursday, comes after a federal judge ruled in August that Google had maintained an illegal monopoly in search services and text advertising through anticompetitive practices.
Here the government’s lawyers argue that Google’s control over Chrome and Android creates significant barriers for competitors, as these platforms are primary channels for distributing search engines to users.
In addition to the Chrome divestiture, Google noted that the DOJ’s recommendations include:-
- Imposing restrictions on Google’s Android operating system to prevent favoritism towards its own search engine.
- Banning exclusive agreements, such as Google’s multi-billion dollar deal with Apple to be the default search engine on iPhones.
- Mandating data sharing with rival search engines and increasing transparency in advertising pricing.
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DOJ Told Google To Sell Chrome
The proposed remedies aim to level the playing field and promote fair competition in the online search market. If enforced, Google could be required to sell Chrome within six months of the ruling.
Google has vehemently criticized the DOJ’s proposal, describing it as “wildly overbroad” and harmful to consumers, businesses, and America’s global tech leadership.
Kent Walker, Google’s Chief Legal Officer, argued that the measures would weaken security and privacy protections, slow innovation in artificial intelligence, and inconvenience users.
The case has significant implications for the tech industry and the broader economy. It echoes the antitrust action against Microsoft in the late 1990s, which resulted in the breakup of the company’s local telephone subsidiaries.
As the legal battle unfolds, the tech world watches closely. Hearings on potential penalties are set to begin in April, with a final decision expected before Labor Day.
However, the upcoming change in U.S. administration, with President-elect Donald Trump taking office, could potentially alter the DOJ’s approach to the case.
This landmark antitrust action against Google represents a pivotal moment in the regulation of Big Tech, with far-reaching consequences for the future of online search and digital competition.
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