Google opposes DOJ proposal to force sale of Chrome
Google has strongly criticized a reported proposal by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that could force the tech giant to sell Chrome, the world’s most widely used web browser.
The DOJ is expected to present the proposal to a judge on Wednesday as part of an ongoing antitrust case against the company, Bloomberg has reported.
This development follows Judge Amit Mehta’s ruling in August that Google operates an online search monopoly. The court is now deliberating on possible penalties or remedies.
Google warns of consumer harm
In response to the reported proposal, Google executive Lee-Anne Mulholland said such a move would be detrimental to consumers, developers, and the broader tech ecosystem.
“The DOJ continues to push a radical agenda that goes far beyond the legal issues in this case,” Mulholland stated. She argued that government intervention at this scale could harm American technological leadership.
Google may also face new requirements regarding its artificial intelligence capabilities, Android operating system, and data practices as part of the DOJ’s proposals.
The scope of Google’s influence
Chrome dominates the global web browser market, accounting for 64.61% of usage in October, according to web traffic tracker Similarweb. Google Search holds an even larger share of the global search engine market, commanding nearly 90% as of October, Statcounter data shows.
The integration of Google Search as the default engine in Chrome and other browsers, including Safari on iPhones, is a cornerstone of its dominance. Judge Mehta previously described the default search engine slot as “extremely valuable real estate,” noting that competitors would need to pay billions of dollars in revenue-sharing agreements to challenge Google.
DOJ eyes break-up of Google
The DOJ has yet to comment on the reported proposals but has previously hinted at a potential breakup of Google’s businesses. In an October court filing, the DOJ indicated it might seek remedies to prevent Google from leveraging products like Chrome, Android, and the Google Play Store to reinforce its search dominance.
Google pushes back
Google has consistently denied claims of operating a monopoly. The company argues that splitting off parts of its business, such as Chrome or Android, would disrupt their business models, increase device costs, and weaken competition with Apple’s ecosystem.
“Breaking them off would change their business models, raise the cost of devices, and undermine Android and Google Play in their robust competition with Apple’s iPhone and App Store,” Google said in an earlier filing. The company also cautioned that separating Chrome could compromise its security features.
Broader implications
Revenues from Google’s search and advertising businesses rose 10% to $65.9 billion in the latest quarter, underscoring the company’s financial strength. CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted the growing adoption of the company’s AI-powered search tools, which have attracted millions of users. The DOJ’s proposed remedies, expected by Wednesday, are being closely watched by investors and analysts. The case could have far-reaching implications for Google’s business model, the technology industry, and consumers worldwide.
