DOJ Wants Google To Sell Chrome

The Department of Justice says Google should sell Chrome to end its search monopoly, sparking a fierce debate on antitrust measures and tech industry regulation.

At a Glance

The DOJ urges a judge to force Google to sell Chrome browser as an antitrust remedy.
Google argues the proposal is radical and harmful to consumers and innovation..\
A potential Chrome sale could fetch $15-20 billion for Google.
A final ruling is expected by August 2025, with likely appeals to follow.
The case is part of a broader Biden administration crackdown on tech monopolies.

DOJ Takes Aim at Google’s Search Dominance

In a landmark antitrust case, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken an aggressive stance against tech giant Google, now urging District Judge Amit Mehta to force the company to sell its popular Chrome browser. This move comes after Judge Mehta ruled that Google had created an illegal monopoly in the online search market by paying companies like Apple billions of dollars to make its search engine the default on devices.

The DOJ’s proposal aims to level what it sees as an uneven playing field created by Google’s conduct. According to the DOJ filing, “The playing field is not level because of Google’s conduct, and Google’s quality reflects the ill-gotten gains of an advantage illegally acquired. The remedy must close this gap and deprive Google of these advantages.”

Google Pushes Back Against “Radical Agenda”

Google has not taken this challenge lying down. The company’s regulatory affairs VP, Lee-Anne Mulholland, previously criticized the DOJ’s proposal as overreach that could harm American technological leadership. Mulholland stated, “The DOJ continues to push a radical agenda that goes far beyond the legal issues in this case. The government putting its thumb on the scale in these ways would harm consumers, developers and American technological leadership at precisely the moment it is most needed.”

The tech giant argues that divesting Chrome and potentially Android could compromise security and privacy for millions of Americans. Google claims that such a move would break a range of products beyond search that people rely on in their daily lives.

DOJ: Google must sell Chrome to end monopoly https://t.co/dLws1tI0C1

— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) November 21, 2024

Implications of the Proposed Breakup

If the DOJ’s proposal is accepted, it would mark a historic development in antitrust enforcement against big tech. The sale of Chrome could potentially net Google between $15 billion to $20 billion. However, experts suggest that this aggressive approach may not directly address the core issue of exclusive contracts identified by Judge Mehta.

The case, filed in 2020, revealed that Google paid a staggering $26 billion in 2021 to be the default search engine on various devices, with $18 billion going to Apple alone. The DOJ’s proposed remedies, intended to last for 10 years, also include preventing Google from making exclusionary agreements with companies like Apple and Samsung.

Looking Ahead: Potential Outcomes and Delays

Judge Mehta has set a hearing for April 2025 to discuss remedies, with a final ruling expected by August 2025. However, delays are anticipated, especially with the potential transition to a second Trump administration, which may be more corporation-friendly. Google is expected to appeal any ruling and may attempt to delay the final outcome.

Legal experts believe that while a complete breakup is unlikely, the court may require Google to end certain exclusive agreements and facilitate access to other search engines. This case represents the most aggressive antitrust action against a tech company since the DOJ’s case against Microsoft in 2001.

As the tech industry and consumers watch closely, the outcome of this case could reshape the landscape of online search and browser markets for years to come. The Biden administration’s tougher stance on tech monopolies is evident, with five pending antitrust cases against major tech companies, including two against Google.