The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has intensified its antitrust battle against Google, calling for the tech giant to divest its Chrome browser and possibly its Android operating system. This development comes as part of ongoing efforts to address Google's alleged monopolistic practices in the search engine market.
In a court filing released on March 7, the DOJ presented its Revised Proposed Final Judgement (RPFJ), arguing that Google's dominance in search has been maintained through anticompetitive practices that unfairly leverage other services like Chrome and Android.
The DOJ's proposal specifically targets Google's distribution methods, particularly the agreements where Google pays to be the default search engine on various platforms. The most notable example is Google's partnership with Apple, which the filing labels as an "unlawful distribution agreement."
The proposed remedies include:
- Mandatory divestiture of the Chrome browser
- Potential sale of the Android operating system
- Termination of exclusive search engine agreements with third parties
- Requirements for Google to share data with competitors
This latest filing represents a strong stance from the DOJ, though it has softened its position on limiting Google's AI investments compared to earlier proposals.
Google has responded by characterizing the DOJ's demands as a "radical interventionist agenda." However, with District Judge Amit Mehta already ruling in August 2024 that Google held a monopoly in search, the focus has shifted to determining appropriate remedies.
The case is scheduled for hearings in April, marking what could become the most substantial antitrust action since the 1998 Microsoft case. The final decision on whether Google must sell Chrome and Android rests with Judge Mehta.
Industry observers note that while breaking up monopolies generally benefits consumers, careful consideration must be given to ensure Chrome's potential new ownership would maintain responsible practices, given the browser's global significance.