Key Points
- The DOJ plans to ask a judge to mandate Google to sell its Chrome browser to reduce market dominance.
- Chrome accounts for about two-thirds of the global browser market, which is crucial for Google’s ad revenue.
- DOJ proposals also target Google’s AI and Android operating systems; Google opposes the measures, citing potential consumer harm.
- A trial on remedy proposals is set for April 2025, with a final ruling expected by August 2025.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly planning to request a federal judge to mandate Alphabet’s Google divest its Chrome internet browser. Bloomberg News revealed that the move comes as part of efforts to curb Google’s dominance in the digital market. This request is connected to an earlier ruling in August, where U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta determined that Google had illegally monopolized the search market.
According to sources, the DOJ’s proposed measures will address Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) ventures and Android operating system. Chrome, which dominates roughly two-thirds of the global browser market, is critical in how Google controls web access and advertising visibility. By default, the browser uses Google Search, gathers user data essential for its advertising business, and significantly contributes to the company’s revenue.
In response, Google expressed strong opposition. Lee-Anne Mulholland, the company’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, criticized the DOJ’s stance, calling it a “radical agenda” that could ultimately harm consumers.
The Biden administration’s push for Big Tech regulation marks one of its most assertive attempts to dismantle alleged monopolistic practices. However, political dynamics could significantly influence the case. Former President Donald Trump, now re-elected, has alternated between promising to prosecute Google and questioning the viability of breaking up the tech giant.
A trial to evaluate the DOJ’s proposed remedies is scheduled for April 2025, with Judge Mehta expected to issue a final ruling by August of the same year. The DOJ has outlined a range of potential actions, from ending Google’s exclusive agreements—such as its billion-dollar deals with Apple to make Google the default search engine—to more drastic steps like divesting Chrome and Android.
Chrome’s vast market share and integration into Google’s ecosystem make it pivotal for Google’s advertising revenue. The company can offer more personalized and targeted ads when users log in to Chrome browser with their Google accounts. Google argues that its success stems from the quality of its search engine and that users are free to choose alternatives, including competing search engines like Amazon and Bing. The DOJ may consider other measures to enhance market competition before deciding if Chrome’s sale is essential.
