US Department of Justice seeking to force Google to sell off Chrome browser

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will ask a judge to force Google to sell off its Chrome browser, marking what could potentially be one of the biggest crackdowns on the tech company, Bloomberg reported.

In August 2024, said judge, Amit Mehta, ruled that Google had illegally monopolised the search market through exclusive deals.

He noted that Google's payment of US$26 billion (S$34.8 billion) to make its search engine the default option on smartphones and web browsers blocked other competitors from succeeding in the market, according to Bloomberg.

DOJ will ask judge to implement various measure pertaining to Google's AI and its Android OS

The DOJ will ask Mehta to implement measures pertaining to Google's artificial intelligence and its Android smartphone operating system.

These measures include uncoupling Google's Android smartphone operating system from its other products, such as its search engine and its Google Play mobile app store, which are now sold as a bundle.

The DOJ is also prepared to propose a requirement for Google to share more information with advertisers and to give them more control over where their advertisements appear.

In addition, the DOJ, along with U.S. states who joined the case against Google, recommend that Google be required to license the results and data from its search engine.

They have also recommended that websites be given more options to prevent their content from being used by Google’s artificial intelligence products.

Why is the Chrome browser so important to Google?

The browser is crucial for Google's advertisement business as it can see data from users who are signed in.

Such data is then used for more targeted promotions which make up the bulk of Google's advertisement revenue.

In addition, Google has been using its browser to direct users towards its flagship AI product, Gemini.

Google's vice-president of regulatory affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, has responded by claiming that the DOJ is pushing a "radical agenda that goes far beyond the legal issues in this case."

She was quoted as saying:

"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."

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