Catenaa, Friday, November22, 2024- The US Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday called on Google to sell its Chrome browser and halt contracts with companies like Apple and Samsung that make its search engine the default, as part of a proposed remedy to curb the tech giant’s monopoly in online search.
The DOJ, joined by several states, filed its proposal following a landmark August ruling where District Judge Amit Mehta found Google stifled competition in search and search advertising.
The government seeks to prohibit Google from re-entering the browser market for five years and impose oversight on its Android operating system to prevent further anti-competitive practices.
Google criticized the proposals, calling them “radical” and harmful to US technology leadership.
Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs, argued the measures extend far beyond the court’s ruling and risk breaking products users rely on daily.
The court’s decision, expected by mid-2025, will address whether these remedies are implemented. Google’s search engine currently handles 90% of global online searches, supported by its integration with Chrome and Android.
Legal experts note the DOJ’s proposals could open the door for competitors by reducing barriers for new search engine entrants. If successful, the measures could reshape the search and online advertising landscape, ending years of alleged market suppression by Google.
The filing can be found here.
