The U.S. Department of Justice is contemplating a landmark move against Google, aiming to break up its alleged illegal monopoly in the online search market. Federal Judge Amit Mehta found that Google had secured its dominant position through unfair deals, setting the stage for potential structural changes or even a breakup of the tech giant. The Justice Department's proposals include selling off parts of Google's business, such as Chrome and Android, and ending lucrative deals that make Google the default search engine in browsers like Safari and Firefox.
Google argues that these measures could undermine innovation and harm consumers, asserting that it competes fairly with companies like Amazon. Nonetheless, the government insists that restoring competition is essential, as Google's practices have led to harmful market dominance. Smaller rivals like DuckDuckGo support the proposed remedies, which could reshape the internet landscape by reducing Google's revenue and influence.
The Justice Department has until November 20 to present its detailed recommendations, with Google planning to appeal the decision. This case marks a significant step in addressing tech monopolies, with implications for both U.S. and international markets.
