The US government has taken a significant step in its ongoing antitrust battle against Google, requesting a judge to force the company to sell its Chrome browser as part of a broader effort to break up the tech giant.
In a court filing late Wednesday, the US Department of Justice urged drastic measures against Google, including ending exclusive deals that make Google the default search engine on smartphones and prohibiting the company from using its Android mobile operating system to maintain dominance. The filing also suggests that if these actions don’t curb Google’s power, the company may be required to sell its Android platform.
Google’s response, delivered by Kent Walker, president of global affairs, called the government’s request “a radical interventionist agenda,” emphasizing the potential consequences of such actions. The US government’s push to break up Google marks a major shift in its approach to regulating tech giants. In the past, regulators largely left major companies like Google unchallenged, following the failure to break up Microsoft over two decades ago.
As the case moves forward, Google is set to present its arguments next month, and the opposing sides will have a chance to make their case at a hearing in April. The eventual decision could be appealed, potentially extending the legal battle for years and leading to involvement from the US Supreme Court. The outcome may also be influenced by the upcoming change in administration, with President-elect Donald Trump taking office in January. His approach to handling Google and other tech companies is uncertain, having previously accused Google of bias while signaling that breaking up the company might be an extreme move.
The ongoing trial, which saw Google ruled a monopoly in August, will now focus on finding a solution to the company’s alleged antitrust violations. Google’s president, Walker, argued that the government’s approach would harm consumers and small businesses, claiming it could stifle investment in key areas like artificial intelligence.
Critics of the government’s demands, including Adam Kovacevich of the Chamber of Progress, argue that the proposed measures are unrealistic and go beyond legal standards. The case scrutinizes Google’s financial arrangements with smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, which have allowed the company to dominate the search engine market and gather invaluable user data.
As the Biden administration continues its tough stance on big tech, several cases remain pending against major players like Amazon, Meta, Apple, and Google. Should the cases continue under the incoming Trump administration, they could drag on for years, potentially reshaping the landscape of US antitrust law.
