In a significant antitrust challenge, the U.S. government is urging Google to sell its Chrome browser, which dominates with a 60% market share in the U.S. and two-thirds globally. The Justice Department's move aims to dismantle Google's alleged internet search monopoly. The proposal includes barring Google from re-entering the browser market for five years and potentially selling its Android operating system if other measures fail.
Judge Amit Mehta has already ruled that Google violated antitrust laws, and a trial is set for April to consider these demands. The government also seeks to end Google's multibillion-dollar agreements with device manufacturers, aiming for greater fairness in search results and more competition in the market.
President-elect Donald Trump's administration could influence the case's direction, as Trump has voiced skepticism about breaking up Google, suggesting instead a focus on fairer search practices. Google's response includes warnings that such measures could harm user experience and security, while it plans to present alternative proposals by December.
The case's outcome remains uncertain, with potential appeals likely leading to prolonged legal proceedings. This legal battle reflects broader efforts to regulate dominant tech companies, amid similar pressures in the European Union. The final decision, expected next summer, could reshape the landscape of internet search and browser markets, depending on the course of the incoming administration's policies.
