The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has called on Alphabet’s Google to take significant steps to end its alleged monopoly on internet search and advertising. In a court filing on Wednesday, prosecutors urged that Google must divest its Chrome browser, share data and search results with competitors, and implement a series of measures that could dramatically reshape the tech giant’s operations.
These proposed changes would place Google under strict regulation for the next decade, under the watch of the same Washington federal court that recently ruled the company maintained an illegal monopoly in online search and related advertising. With control over approximately 90% of the online search market, Google’s dominance has long been a point of contention for regulators and competitors alike.
“Google’s unlawful behavior has deprived rivals not only of critical distribution channels but also distribution partners who could otherwise enable entry into these markets by competitors in new and innovative ways,” the DOJ stated in its court filing. The prosecutors argue that without these sweeping changes, competition in the search and advertising markets will remain stifled.
The filing expands on previous outlines presented by the DOJ on how to dismantle Google’s monopoly. Among the demands are prohibiting Google from re-entering the browser market for five years and requiring the sale of its Android mobile operating system if other remedies fail to restore competition. Additionally, the DOJ seeks to bar Google from acquiring or investing in any search rivals, query-based artificial intelligence products, or advertising technology.
Google has pushed back against these proposals, labeling them as radical measures that would harm consumers and businesses in the United States, and potentially undermine the country’s competitiveness in artificial intelligence. The company has indicated its intention to appeal the court’s ruling.
The DOJ, along with a coalition of states, is also pressing U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta to terminate exclusive agreements in which Google pays billions annually to Apple and other device manufacturers to make its search engine the default on their devices. These agreements have been criticized for reinforcing Google’s dominant market position and limiting consumer choice.
Google is expected to present its counterarguments and proposals in December. Judge Mehta has scheduled a trial on the proposed remedies for April. However, the upcoming change in administration, with President-elect Donald Trump and the DOJ’s next antitrust chief potentially taking office, could influence the direction and outcome of the case.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
