The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly seeking to force Google to sell its Chrome internet browser, according to sources cited by Bloomberg.
The move marks a significant step in a broader antitrust crackdown on one of the world’s largest tech companies.
In August, District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google had unlawfully monopolized the online search market by paying companies like Apple and Samsung to make its search engine the default on their devices.
Chrome, which holds a commanding 65% share of the global browser market—four times that of its closest competitor, Safari—plays a pivotal role in Google’s advertising business, giving the company substantial control over internet traffic and ad placements.
The DOJ is also expected to propose measures concerning artificial intelligence and data licensing requirements, potentially reshaping both the online search and AI industries, according to Bloomberg.
Google has pushed back against these efforts, with Lee-Anne Mulholland, the company’s vice president of regulatory affairs, calling the DOJ’s approach a “radical agenda” that exceeds the scope of the case.
The antitrust suit, originally filed in 2020 during Donald Trump’s presidency, alleges Google monopolised search and search advertising. Trump has made statements about Google, vowing during his 2024 campaign to prosecute the company but later suggesting it could simply be made “more fair.”
A hearing on proposed remedies is set for April, with a final ruling expected by August 2025. If the DOJ’s proposals are accepted, they could significantly alter the tech landscape and Google’s dominance in key markets.
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