The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed that Google may be required to break up its business, including selling its Chrome browser. According to Engadget, this requirement is detailed in a new court document supporting a federal ruling that found Google illegally used its monopoly position in the search engine market.
In the document, the DOJ explained that selling Chrome would “permanently end Google’s control over this critical search access tool” and provide competitors with more opportunities to integrate their services into the browser, which serves as the entry point to the internet for many users.
Restrictions on Default Search Engine Deals
The DOJ has also upheld a ban, initially proposed under the Biden administration, on setting Google Search as the default search engine on Apple devices and other manufacturers’ products. This restriction affects the affiliate payments Google made to secure default placement on these devices. The ban also extends to the Mozilla Firefox browser, limiting Google’s ability to dominate the search engine market through pre-installed settings.
At the same time, authorities have dropped the requirement for Google to sell its stakes in AI startups. This decision follows a statement from Anthropic, which argued that continued funding is necessary for its operations. Instead of a full prohibition on AI investments, Google will now be required to notify federal and state agencies about its investments in this sector.
Google’s Counterproposal and Future Decisions
Google is expected to submit its own proposal for alternative measures, adds NIX Solutions. In its previous filing in December, the company argued that the DOJ’s initial remedies were excessive and extended beyond the court’s ruling, which primarily addressed its search partner agreements.
As an alternative, Google proposed maintaining its ability to pay partners for search engine placement while allowing them to work with other providers. This could mean that Apple, for example, might set different search engines by default on iPhones and iPads. Similarly, browser developers could be required to let users select a default search engine every 12 months.
According to The Washington Post, the DOJ’s stance suggests that the Trump administration may continue enforcing strict antitrust measures against major tech firms, despite support from tech giants during the election campaign. The final ruling will be made by Judge Amit Mehta, who previously found Google to be a monopoly. A hearing to review proposals from both sides is scheduled for April.
We’ll keep you updated as the case unfolds.