The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) plans to ask a federal judge to force Alphabet, Google’s parent company, to sell its Chrome browser. The move is part of a broader effort to tackle Google’s monopoly in the search and digital markets, according to reports from Bloomberg.
This development follows an August ruling by Judge Amit Mehta, which found that Google had illegally monopolized the search engine market. Prosecutors argue that divesting Chrome, which holds over 65% of the browser market share, is necessary to restore competition. The DOJ is also exploring other remedies, including addressing exclusive agreements with device manufacturers and separating the Android operating system from Google’s other services.
Google has criticized the DOJ’s approach, with Lee-Anne Mulholland, Vice President of Google Regulatory Affairs, calling the demands a “radical agenda” that could harm consumers. The tech giant plans to appeal any final ruling, potentially setting the stage for a prolonged legal battle.
If successful, the DOJ’s case could mark a significant shift in regulating Big Tech, echoing past efforts like the Microsoft antitrust case in the late 1990s. The implications for the industry could be far-reaching, reshaping how digital giants operate in the U.S.
