Top antitrust officials from the are seeking a historic ruling that could force Alphabet Inc.’s Google to sell off its Chrome browser as part of a broader crackdown on the tech giant. The move, which follows a ruling in August that found Google guilty of monopolizing the search market, represents one of the most significant regulatory actions in the tech sector in decades.
According to sources familiar with the DOJ’s plan, officials are also set to propose changes related to artificial intelligence (AI) and Google’s Android operating system. The DOJ is asking Judge Amit Mehta to impose measures that could include data licensing requirements and the separation of Android from Google’s other products. These efforts aim to enhance competition in the online search and AI industries, which have become increasingly intertwined in recent years.
The DOJ’s efforts could radically reshape both the search market and the emerging AI landscape. Google’s dominance in online search, particularly through Chrome, has been a critical factor in its advertising revenue. By tracking user data via Chrome, Google enhances its ability to target ads. This proposal, which could have wide-reaching implications for Google’s business model, is expected to face pushback from the company, which argues the measures would harm consumers and stifle technological progress.
In response to the ongoing antitrust action, Google has stated it plans to appeal Judge Mehta’s August ruling, and the company’s lawyers have vowed to contest the DOJ’s proposed remedies. A sale of Chrome, which controls around 61% of the US browser market, would be unprecedented, but officials have suggested it might not be required if other measures to boost competition prove successful.
While Google remains the dominant player in search, questions over whether a potential buyer for Chrome could emerge remain. Analysts speculate that companies like OpenAI might be interested, given the growing importance of both distribution and ads in the AI space.
The ongoing case, originally filed during the Trump administration and continued under President Biden, mirrors the government’s failed attempt to break up Microsoft Corp. in the early 2000s. This trial and its proposed remedies, such as data-sharing requirements and separation of certain services, could significantly alter the landscape for tech giants.
The outcome of the case will depend on several factors, including the judge’s upcoming ruling in April and whether Google’s planned appeal is successful. Meanwhile, the DOJ continues to push forward with its plans to challenge Google’s market dominance across multiple sectors.
