Google Faces Possible Breakup as US Government Targets Monopoly
Washington, D.C. (tts) – The US government is considering drastic measures against tech giant Google, following a recent ruling by Judge Amit Mehta that officially declared the company a monopolist. In response, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is exploring various options to curb Google’s dominance in the search engine market and restore competition. One of the most significant potential outcomes: a breakup of the company.
In a new 32-page filing submitted yesterday, the DOJ outlined a series of “behavioral and structural remedies” aimed at countering Google’s monopolistic practices. Structural remedies could involve the sale of key business units like Chrome, Android, or Google Play, which give Google a substantial competitive edge.
Search Distribution Under Scrutiny
At the heart of the DOJ’s concerns is Google’s control over the distribution of search queries. The company pays vast sums of money to remain the default search engine on platforms like Apple’s iPhone, effectively sidelining competitors. The DOJ argues that rivals have no opportunity to compete for these channels, as “Google’s monopoly-funded revenue share payments disincentivize its partners from diverting queries to Google’s competitors.”
To address this issue, the DOJ is also considering initiatives aimed at educating consumers, empowering them to choose alternative search engines more freely.
Google Pushes Back
Google quickly responded, calling the proposals excessive. The company claims that the suggested breakup “goes well beyond the legal scope of the court’s decision regarding search distribution contracts.” Google also warned that splitting off Chrome or Android could harm users, as “few companies would have the ability or incentive to keep them open source or to invest in them at the same level we do.”
Google further emphasized that billions of people rely on Chrome and Android to access the internet globally, and questioned whether other companies could maintain such platforms.
Looking Ahead
In addition to a potential breakup, the DOJ is also considering steps to prevent Google from using products like Chrome, Android, and Play to favor its own search engine and related services over those of competitors. This applies especially to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, which are becoming increasingly central to the search engine market.
The next few weeks will be critical, as the DOJ is expected to present its final proposals soon. The scope and impact of these measures could have far-reaching implications for the tech giant and the global search market.
Further updates on this case are anticipated.