The United States Department of Justice is persisting in its demand for Google to divest its web browser Chrome, as outlined in a recent court filing released on Friday.
Last year, the DOJ initially recommended that Google sell Chrome during the administration of President Joe Biden, and it appears to be maintaining that position under the current Trump administration. However, the department has notably shifted its stance and is no longer insisting that Google sell off all its artificial intelligence investments, which include the substantial funds directed towards Anthropic.
“Google’s unlawful actions have fostered an economic giant, one whose dominance disrupts the marketplace to ensure that — regardless of circumstances — Google remains the victor,” the DOJ stated in a document endorsed by Omeed Assefi, the current acting attorney general for antitrust. (Trump’s appointee for the role still awaits Senate confirmation.)
Consequently, the DOJ has stated it has not altered the “key elements” of its original proposal, which includes the requirement for Google to divest Chrome and prohibiting search-related compensation to distribution partners.
Regarding artificial intelligence, the DOJ expressed that it will no longer pursue the “compulsory divestiture of Google’s AI assets,” opting instead for “advance notification for any future investments.” In addition, instead of permitting an immediate divestiture of Android, a determination will be left to the court, contingent on whether market competition intensifies.
This proposal is part of antitrust lawsuits launched by the DOJ and 38 state attorneys general, resulting in Judge Amit P. Mehta concluding that Google has engaged in illegal practices to uphold its monopoly in online search. Google has announced plans to appeal Mehta’s ruling but has simultaneously proposed an alternative solution it believes would alleviate the judge’s concerns by granting partners increased flexibility.
A spokesperson for Google remarked to Reuters that the DOJ’s far-reaching proposals “exceed the Court’s ruling and could adversely affect American consumers, the economy, and national security.”
Arguments from both Google and the DOJ are set to be heard by Judge Mehta in April.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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