In a move that could reshape the tech landscape, the Justice Department and a coalition of states have asked a federal court to force Google to sell its Chrome web browser.
The sweeping request follows an earlier ruling by Judge Amit P. Mehta, who found Google guilty of illegally maintaining a monopoly in online search.
Unprecedented Measures to Curb Google’s Dominance
The proposals, submitted late Wednesday, aim to dismantle Google’s grip on digital ecosystems. In addition to the sale of Chrome, the government outlined a choice for Google: divest Android, the world’s most popular smartphone operating system, or cease requiring Android devices to preinstall Google services.
Should these remedies prove insufficient, the government reserved the right to mandate the sale of Android at a later date. The Justice Department also sought to ban Google from paying companies like Apple and Mozilla to make Google the default search engine and requested that competitors gain access to Google’s search data for a decade.
“The playing field is not level because of Google’s conduct,” the government said in its filing. “The remedy must close this gap and deprive Google of these advantages.”
Chrome and Android: Core of Google’s Ecosystem
The proposed breakup targets Chrome, which commands 67% of the global browser market, and Android, used by 71% of smartphones worldwide. Both products serve as gateways to Google’s search engine, cementing its dominance in data collection and online advertising.
For Google, losing Chrome and Android would be devastating. Chrome integrates seamlessly with Google Search, while Android ensures the company’s apps are omnipresent on mobile devices.
A Parallel to Microsoft’s Antitrust Battle
The case against Google mirrors the Justice Department’s landmark antitrust case against Microsoft in the 2000s. However, experts predict challenges for the government, given that the Microsoft breakup proposal was ultimately overturned by an appeals court.
“This is an uphill climb for the government,” said Doug Melamed, a former Justice Department antitrust official.
Google has until December 20 to submit its counterproposals, with Judge Mehta expected to rule on remedies by summer 2025.
Google Pushes Back
Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs, called the government’s proposals “extreme” in a blog post, arguing that they overreach the court’s original ruling.
“DOJ’s wildly overbroad proposal goes miles beyond the court’s decision,” Walker wrote. “It would break a range of Google products — even beyond Search — that people love and find helpful in their everyday lives.”
Tech Giants Under Fire
The push against Google is part of a broader crackdown on Big Tech. The Justice Department has also targeted Apple and its restrictive app policies, while the Federal Trade Commission has sued Amazon and Meta for anticompetitive practices.
The Biden administration’s focus on curbing tech monopolies could face uncertainty under President-elect Donald Trump. Although some antitrust cases began during his previous administration, Trump’s stance on continuing these efforts remains unclear.
Landmark Ruling Fuels Government Action
The case against Google gained momentum after a 10-week trial in 2023, during which the government argued that Google’s deals with companies like Apple entrenched its search monopoly. These agreements funneled billions to make Google the default search engine on browsers and smartphones, further strengthening its market position.
Google defended its practices, arguing that consumers choose its services because they outperform competitors like Bing and DuckDuckGo.
Artificial Intelligence in the Spotlight
As generative AI emerges as the next frontier, the government also called for restrictions on Google’s AI-related activities. Specifically, it asked for measures allowing publishers to opt out of having their content used to train Google’s AI models.
Google’s investments in AI startups, such as Anthropic, which develops the Claude chatbot, could also face scrutiny.
What’s Next for Google?
The antitrust battle is far from over. On Monday, closing arguments in a separate case against Google’s advertising technology dominance will be heard in Virginia, underscoring the mounting legal challenges facing the $2 trillion tech giant.
Whether Judge Mehta approves the DOJ’s dramatic proposals could set a precedent that reshapes competition in the tech industry, impacting giants like Apple, Amazon, and Meta. For now, Google’s future remains uncertain as it faces the most significant antitrust threats in decades.
