DOJ to ask judge to force Google to sell Chrome browser: reports
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is expected to ask a judge to force Alphabet’s Google to sell its Chrome web browser, which the DOJ says is used to maintain illegal control over Internet searches, according to reports.
A federal judge in August ruled that Google had created an illegal monopoly over Internet searches, more than 90% of which are processed through the major search engine.
Bloomberg News reported Monday that not only will the DOJ ask the judge that ruled against Google for illegally authorizing the search market to seek actions related to artificial intelligence and its Android smartphone app, but it will also ask the judge to compel the giant to internet. selling the popular Chrome internet browser.
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“The DOJ continues to push an agenda that goes beyond legal issues in this case,” said Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s vice president of Regulatory Affairs, in a statement sent to FOX Business on Monday. “The government putting its thumb on the scale in these ways will hurt consumers, developers and America’s technology leadership at a time when it is most needed.”
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The DOJ did not respond to FOX Business’ request for comment on the matter.
If successful, the move could be one of the most aggressive moves by the Biden administration against what they say are Big Tech monopolies.
Still, President-elect Donald Trump could have a big impact on the case. Trump initially said he would prosecute Google for what he saw as bias, nearly two months before the presidential election. He changed his mind a month later, asking if it was a good idea to dissolve the company.
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If US District Judge Amit Mehta issues a final decision, which Reuters reported could be in August 2025, Google plans to file an appeal.
The DOJ’s proposed remedies could have a major impact on how Americans access information online while reducing Google’s revenue and giving its competitors a chance to grow.
In October, the DOJ said that in order to address privacy it may ask the court to require Google to separate its Chrome browser and its Android operating system.
It could also ask a court to stop Google paying for the search engine to be preinstalled or set as default on new devices or require it to share search data with other competing providers.
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Prosecutors have also signaled that they will seek to prevent Google from dominating the growing field of artificial intelligence (AI), potentially preventing Google from entering into agreements that limit its AI competitors’ access to content and allow websites to opt out of Google using its content for training. AI models.
Google has made annual payments to Apple and other device manufacturers to ensure that its search engine is the default on smartphones and web browsers in order to maintain its market share. By 2021, Google will make $26.3 billion in these payments.
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Google also warned that separating Chrome and Android from Google would “break it” because Google currently offers them and their code for free through open source.
Eric Revell of FOX Business contributed to this report.
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