New Delhi: In a significant escalation of the ongoing antitrust lawsuit against Google, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is poised to demand the tech giant sell off its Chrome web browser. This move comes after a federal judge ruled in August that Google had illegally maintained a monopoly over online search.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed to Bloomberg that the DOJ aims to dismantle Google’s control over the browser market, where Chrome holds a commanding global presence. This divestiture is intended to curb Google’s anti-competitive practices and foster a more level playing field for competitors.
The DOJ’s proposal also includes provisions requiring Google to license its search engine results data and empower websites to opt out of having their content used in Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) projects. This measure seeks to address concerns about Google’s vast data collection practices and its potential impact on online content creators.
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These recommendations are expected to be formally presented to US District Judge Amit Mehta, who presided over the initial antitrust ruling. A trial focusing on these remedies is slated for April 2025, with a final decision anticipated by August 2025.
Google has vehemently opposed these developments, arguing that they would harm consumers and stifle innovation. Lee-Anne Mulholland, Vice President of Google Regulatory Affairs, asserted that the DOJ’s proposals would disrupt the competitive landscape and hinder technological progress.
Chrome’s dominance plays a pivotal role in Google’s lucrative advertising business. By tracking the online activity of signed-in users, Google gathers valuable data to refine its ad targeting capabilities, which generate the bulk of its revenue. Furthermore, Chrome serves as a crucial entry point for Google’s AI product, Gemini. This positions the company to evolve Gemini from a simple question-and-answer tool into a comprehensive web-wide personal assistant.
The DOJ’s aggressive stance signals a determination to rein in Google’s market power and protect competition in the digital realm. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the future of the internet and the balance of power among tech giants.
