US To Seek Chrome Browser Divestment In Antitrust Case Against Google
The U.S. government is reportedly preparing to demand that Google-parent Alphabet divest its widely used Chrome browser in a significant antitrust case, marking a major escalation in its crackdown on the tech giant’s dominance. Bloomberg reported that this move could form part of broader measures aimed at dismantling Google’s alleged monopolistic practices.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has declined to comment on the report, which comes ahead of a pivotal court session scheduled for Wednesday. The session will explore remedies following the DOJ’s landmark antitrust trial against Google, during which the company was found to have maintained an illegal monopoly in online search.
Justice officials had previously signaled their intent to demand significant structural changes to Google’s operations, including the potential divestment of its Android operating system or Chrome browser. Such a call for divestiture would represent one of the most aggressive antitrust actions against a tech giant since the U.S. government’s failed attempt to break up Microsoft two decades ago.
Adam Kovacevich, CEO of the industry group Chamber of Progress, criticized the reported plan as “fantastical” and legally untenable, advocating for more narrowly tailored remedies.
Monopoly Findings and Potential Remedies
In August, U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google’s exclusive agreements with smartphone manufacturers and browser providers gave the company unparalleled access to user data. This dominance, according to the ruling, allowed Google to cement its search engine’s position and expand into adjacent markets like Chrome, Maps, and Android.
Google reportedly controlled 90% of the U.S. online search market in 2020, with an even greater share—95%—on mobile devices. The trial revealed confidential agreements, including substantial payments to Apple and other manufacturers, to make Google Search the default option on devices, bolstering its monopoly.
Proposed remedies include requiring Google to share search data with rivals, imposing restrictions on its artificial intelligence systems from utilizing website data, and preventing Android from being bundled with other Google services.
Google is expected to appeal any unfavorable rulings, potentially extending the legal battle for years and even reaching the U.S. Supreme Court.
As the DOJ’s aggressive stance signals a shift in U.S. antitrust enforcement, the outcome of this case could have significant implications for the tech industry and its regulatory landscape.
