Washington DC:
Alphabet’s Google may have to sell Chrome, the world’s most widely used browser. The US Department of Justice (DoJ) is reportedly asking a court to order Alphabet Inc. to sell its browser to break up Google’s monopoly on the internet search market and related advertising. Meanwhile, Google said it would hurt consumers and businesses if it was forced to sell Chrome.
Last month, the Justice Department filed court documents saying it was considering enforcing “structural remedies” to prevent Google from using some of its products. Antitrust enforcement officials are expected to present the measure to a judge on Wednesday, Bloomberg reported.
According to StatCounter, Chrome has nearly 90% share of the global search engine market as of October. Additionally, it controls approximately 61 percent of the U.S. market.
Lawsuit against Google’s monopoly
The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Google during President-elect Donald Trump’s first four years in office. In a landmark ruling in August, Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google operates an online search monopoly and is considering what remedies and penalties to impose.
Since then, prosecutors have sought to end the multibillion-dollar exclusive deals Google has with Apple and other companies to remain the default search engine on tablets and smartphones, as well as cut some of its business. It suggests several ways the lawsuit could proceed, including selling it. As an Android operating system.
The Justice Department on Wednesday may implement some of those proposals, including one that would require Google to sell its Chrome browser. Antitrust regulators, along with the states that joined the lawsuit, will recommend that federal judge Amit Mehta impose data licensing requirements on Google, Bloomberg reported, citing sources.
If the sale goes ahead, Chrome would be worth “at least $15 billion to $20 billion, given its more than 3 billion monthly active users,” said Mandeep Singh, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. .
Google’s response
Google called the proposal “radical” and said it would harm American consumers and businesses and undermine America’s competitiveness in artificial intelligence.
The company has previously denied that it has a monopoly in the online search market. In response to the Justice Department’s filing in October, Google said it would be “divided” if it “split off” parts of its businesses, such as Chrome and Android.
“Decoupling the two would change business models, increase device prices and weaken Android and Google Play in intense competition from Apple’s iPhone and the App Store,” the BBC quoted the company as saying. Ta.
Google is now reportedly planning to appeal after U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta issues a final ruling by August 2025. The company will have the opportunity to make a proposal in December.
