Google has firmly rejected reports that the U.S. government may force it to sell Chrome. The proposal reportedly aims to address monopoly concerns and limit Google’s dominance in online search and related markets.
DOJ’s Proposed Measures and Google’s Response
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is expected to present this proposal to a judge on Wednesday. This follows Judge Amit Mehta’s August ruling, which found Google holds a monopoly in online search. The DOJ is now evaluating possible remedies or penalties.
Google strongly opposes the idea of selling Chrome, citing harm to consumers and the tech industry. Lee-Anne Mulholland, a Google executive, criticized the DOJ’s approach. “The DOJ is pushing a radical agenda far beyond the legal issues in this case,” she stated. “Forcing the sale of Chrome would negatively impact consumers, developers, and America’s technological leadership.”
In addition to the potential sale of Chrome, the DOJ may propose restrictions on Google’s use of AI, its Android operating system, and data practices. Mulholland warned, “This kind of government intervention would harm consumers, developers, and the U.S. tech sector at a time when innovation is critical.”
Chrome’s Market Dominance and Search Monopoly
Chrome dominates the global web browser market, holding a 64.61% share in October, according to Similarweb. Google also controls nearly 90% of the search engine market, as reported by Statcounter. The browser’s integration with Google Search gives the company significant control over online search traffic.
Judge Mehta described Chrome’s default search engine position as “extremely valuable real estate” for Google. He noted that new competitors would face immense financial barriers. “Only companies prepared to pay billions in revenue-sharing deals could compete for the default search engine position,” Mehta wrote.
DOJ Remedies and Google’s Concerns
The DOJ plans to finalize its recommendations this week. Possible measures include breaking up Google or restricting how it uses Chrome, Android, and Google Play to promote its services.
Google denies having a monopoly in online search and argues against splitting off its products. The company believes such actions would disrupt functionality and harm consumers. “Separating Chrome or Android would raise device costs and weaken competition with Apple’s iPhone and App Store,” Google stated. Additionally, the company warned that maintaining Chrome’s security would become more challenging.
Financial Success Amid Legal Battles
Despite these legal challenges, Google’s financial performance remains strong. The company reported a 10% year-over-year increase in search and advertising revenue, reaching $65.9 billion in the latest quarter. CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted the benefits of Google’s AI-powered search tools for millions of users.
Investors are closely watching Google’s stock performance as the DOJ prepares its next steps. Potential regulatory actions could significantly impact the company’s future operations and growth.
