Is Google really going to have to sell Chrome?
Is Google’s Dominance in the Web Coming to an End?
A recent report by Bloomberg suggests that officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ) are considering compelling Google to sell its popular Chrome browser. This follows a lawsuit filed against Google in January of last year, alleging the company’s monopoly over digital advertising technologies. In August, Federal Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google had violated U.S. antitrust laws and was acting as a monopoly. Mehta stated, “Google is a monopoly and has acted as such to maintain its monopoly.” Speculation about the future of the tech giant has since been rampant, with the DOJ potentially aiming to break up the company.
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, may now be forced to divest Chrome. The browser, which was launched in 2008, is tightly integrated with Google’s search engine and is used by millions worldwide.
Against Monopoly
In addition to potentially selling Chrome, DOJ officials are also considering recommending that Google “decouple its Android operating system for smartphones from the company’s other products, including Google search and the Google Play mobile app store, which are currently bundled together,” according to Bloomberg.
Google’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, has criticized the government’s actions as going beyond legal issues and unfairly impacting consumers, developers, and American tech leaders at a crucial time.
Accusations Against Google
The government has accused Google of engaging in anticompetitive and exclusionary practices, such as neutralizing or acquiring advertising technology competitors. A 10-day trial revealed that Google used various tactics to maintain its dominance, including striking deals with Apple and other platforms to ensure its search engine remained the default option.
While the transition to the Biden administration might complicate legal proceedings, actions against Google actually began during the previous Trump administration. In October 2020, the DOJ and several Republican-led states filed a lawsuit against the tech giant.
