DOJ pushes for Google to divest Chrome in antitrust case to foster market competition

The U.S. Department of Justice ( DOJ ) has escalated its efforts to break up Google , requesting that the tech giant divest its Chrome browser in response to a ruling from August, which found Google to hold a monopoly in the search market. Chrome, which Google launched in 2008, is a crucial tool for the company to gather data used for targeted advertising. According to the DOJ, forcing Google to sell Chrome would level the playing field, allowing competitors to access the browser, which many users rely on as a gateway to the internet. In a 23-page filing, the DOJ argues that such a move would permanently end Google’s control over this essential access point and enable rival search engines to thrive. The DOJ also proposed that Google be barred from engaging in exclusionary agreements with companies like Apple and Samsung, and prohibited from prioritizing its search services within its other products. The DOJ's filing outlines additional remedies, including preventing Google from stifling competition by acquiring emerging competitors or making strategic investments in them. It also demands regular oversight, including monthly reports on any changes to Google’s search text ads auction. These measures, the DOJ asserts, would help dismantle Google’s unlawful practices and promote market competition . The proposal is part of a broader effort to address the dominance of Google’s search advertising business, which generated $49.4 billion in revenue for parent company Alphabet in the third quarter of 2024, making up 75% of its total ad sales. This action marks the DOJ's most significant attempt to break up a major tech company since its 2001 antitrust settlement with Microsoft. While the DOJ also considered requiring Google to divest its Android operating system to further restore competition, it acknowledged that such a move could face significant opposition from Google and other stakeholders.