U.S. authorities demand Google sell off Chrome
U.S. government urges Google to sell off its Chrome browser division.
TroibNews 
U.S. prosecutors argued before a judge on Wednesday that Alphabet's Google must divest its Chrome browser, share data and search results with competitors, and implement various other measures to address its monopoly on internet searches.
These proposed changes would effectively place Google under intense regulation for a decade, with oversight from the Washington federal court that previously ruled the company holds an illegal monopoly in online search and related advertising.
Currently, Google commands approximately 90 percent of the online search market.
"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 U.S. Department of Justice stated in a court filing.
The court documents submitted on Wednesday night elaborate on the U.S. government's strategy to dismantle Google's monopoly.
Google has described these proposals as radical and asserts that they would negatively impact U.S. consumers and businesses, as well as jeopardize American competitiveness in artificial intelligence. The company has indicated that it intends to appeal the ruling.
The DOJ's demands are extensive, including a five-year ban on Google re-entering the browser market and a requirement that it sell its Android mobile operating system if other solutions do not effectively restore competition.
Additionally, the DOJ has requested to prevent Google from acquiring or investing in any search competitors, query-based artificial intelligence products, or advertising technology.
The DOJ, along with a coalition of states, is urging U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta to terminate exclusive agreements in which Google pays billions of dollars each year to Apple and other device manufacturers to have its search engine set as the default on mobile devices and tablets.
Google will have the opportunity to present its own proposals in December.
Judge Mehta has set a trial date for these proposals in April, although potential changes in leadership, such as President-elect Donald Trump and the DOJ's upcoming antitrust head, could influence the direction of the case.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
These proposed changes would effectively place Google under intense regulation for a decade, with oversight from the Washington federal court that previously ruled the company holds an illegal monopoly in online search and related advertising.
Currently, Google commands approximately 90 percent of the online search market.
"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 U.S. Department of Justice stated in a court filing.
The court documents submitted on Wednesday night elaborate on the U.S. government's strategy to dismantle Google's monopoly.
Google has described these proposals as radical and asserts that they would negatively impact U.S. consumers and businesses, as well as jeopardize American competitiveness in artificial intelligence. The company has indicated that it intends to appeal the ruling.
The DOJ's demands are extensive, including a five-year ban on Google re-entering the browser market and a requirement that it sell its Android mobile operating system if other solutions do not effectively restore competition.
Additionally, the DOJ has requested to prevent Google from acquiring or investing in any search competitors, query-based artificial intelligence products, or advertising technology.
The DOJ, along with a coalition of states, is urging U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta to terminate exclusive agreements in which Google pays billions of dollars each year to Apple and other device manufacturers to have its search engine set as the default on mobile devices and tablets.
Google will have the opportunity to present its own proposals in December.
Judge Mehta has set a trial date for these proposals in April, although potential changes in leadership, such as President-elect Donald Trump and the DOJ's upcoming antitrust head, could influence the direction of the case.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
