The United States government is pushing tech giant Google to sell its Chrome browser and take other significant steps to break up its alleged monopoly on internet search. In a recent court filing, U.S. prosecutors argued that Google’s dominance in online search and advertising harms competition and stifles innovation.
Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., controls around 90% of the online search market. The Department of Justice (DOJ) contends that this dominance has deprived rivals of critical opportunities, stating, “Google’s unlawful behavior has deprived rivals not only of critical distribution channels but also distribution partners who could otherwise enable entry into these markets by competitors in new and innovative ways.”
The proposed changes would see Google under strict regulation for the next decade, overseen by the Washington federal court that previously ruled against the company’s monopoly practices. Among the DOJ’s demands are not only the divestiture of the Chrome browser but also restrictions preventing Google from entering the browser market for five years and potentially selling its Android mobile operating system if other measures fail.
Additionally, the DOJ seeks to prohibit Google from making exclusive agreements with device manufacturers, such as Apple, where Google pays billions annually to be the default search engine on smartphones and tablets. The government argues that these practices further entrench Google’s dominance and limit consumer choice.
Google has criticized the proposals, labeling them as radical and harmful to consumers and businesses. The company asserts that such measures could undermine American competitiveness in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies. Google plans to appeal the decisions and will present its own proposals in December.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta has scheduled a trial on the government’s proposals for April. The outcome could significantly reshape the tech landscape, depending on whether incoming leadership at the DOJ decides to alter the current course of the case.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
