The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has demanded that Google sell its Chrome browser, a key measure in its effort to break the company’s online search monopoly. In a court filing on Wednesday, the DOJ proposed several remedies, including preventing Google from making exclusive deals with companies like Apple and Samsung to set its search engine as the default. This follows an August ruling where Google was found guilty of stifling competition in online search.
The DOJ argues that Google’s control over Chrome and Android has allowed it to dominate the search market, which accounts for about 90% of global online searches. Government lawyers suggest that restoring competition would require opening up the market, potentially allowing new competitors to thrive.
In response, Google criticized the DOJ’s proposal, warning that such drastic measures could harm the company and its products, which many users rely on daily. Google plans to present its own counter-proposals by December 20, and a decision by Judge Amit Mehta is expected by summer 2025.
This case, originally filed under the Trump administration, is likely to continue under the new government, though it remains unclear how the incoming administration will approach it. Some experts believe that the DOJ’s intervention could help competitors challenge Google’s dominance, offering a chance for innovation in the search market.
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