Bottom line: The U.S. Department of Justice is ramping up its case against Google's alleged monopoly, suggesting the government could eventually force the company to sell its widely-used Chrome browser. The move is part of the DoJ's push to challenge Google's hold over the digital advertising and search engine markets.
The Justice Department's latest legal action accuses Google of engaging in anticompetitive behavior by unfairly using its dominance in search and advertising to prop up its other services, most notably Chrome. The government argues that Google's browser and vast data ecosystem have given the company an outsized advantage over competitors, stifling innovation and harming consumers. By bundling Chrome with its Android operating system, Google has built an extensive network that could limit consumer choice and make it difficult for smaller firms to compete.
"Google's illegal conduct has created an economic goliath, one that wreaks havoc over the marketplace to ensure that – no matter what occurs – Google always wins," said the DoJ in its filing.
It asks the DC District Court and Judge Amit P. Mehta to order Alphabet to immediately divest all assets pertaining to Chrome to a "vetted" buyer. In other words, Google would have to sell Chrome to a competitor. The government would vet prospective buyers to ensure they will not compromise National Security interests.
The DoJ secured a legal win last year against Google in its broader antitrust case concerning its search practices and anticompetitive deals with other companies to make its search engine the default on many devices. Now, with its sights on Chrome, the agency is seeking more drastic action. If the government succeeds in compelling Google to sell Chrome, the company may also face additional scrutiny over Android, the world's most widely used mobile operating system.
Many experts believe Android could follow Chrome and face a forced divestiture, as it plays a key role in Google's alleged monopolistic strategy. The proposed remedies, which the Justice Department revised earlier this month, include a provision to do just that.
While Google has yet to comment on the potential sale of Chrome, the company has vehemently denied accusations of monopolistic practices and is unsurprisingly against the forceful divestiture of any of its assets.
"DoJ's sweeping proposals continue to go miles beyond the Court's decision and would harm America's consumers, economy, and national security," a Google spokesperson said.
Google argues that its products, including Chrome, improve user experience and are offered to consumers free of charge, making it difficult to see how its services could be anticompetitive. However, the DoJ's case continues to build momentum, with government officials suggesting that the case may reach trial within the next year.
The outcome of this ongoing case could reshape the landscape of the internet as we know it. If Google is required to divest Chrome and possibly Android, it could open the door for new competitors in browser and mobile operating system markets. However, the long-term effects remain uncertain, with some fearing that breaking up Google's ecosystem could lead to a fragmented, less user-friendly internet experience.
Justice Department asks judge to order Google the "immediate" sale of Chrome
