The US government has reignited its push to break up Google, with the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday reaffirming its demand that the tech giant sell off its popular Chrome browser to restore competition in the digital marketplace.
This latest move adds new urgency to the long-running antitrust battle against Google, which was found last year to have maintained an illegal monopoly over internet search.
The DOJ’s renewed call for a breakup is part of a broader strategy to address what it described as Google’s “economic goliath” status, accusing the company of leveraging its market dominance to stifle competition and harm consumers.
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“Google’s illegal conduct has created an economic goliath, one that wreaks havoc over the marketplace to ensure that — no matter what occurs — Google always wins. American consumers and businesses suffer from Google’s conduct,” the DOJ stated in a court filing.
National Security Concerns in the Mix
In its defense, Google has previously argued that breaking up its business could have serious national security implications. The company claims that its integration of search, browser, and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities enhances its ability to safeguard data and thwart cybersecurity threats.
Google spokesperson Peter Schottenfels reiterated this stance, suggesting that the DOJ’s proposals are not only excessive but also potentially harmful to national interests.
“DOJ’s sweeping proposals continue to go miles beyond the Court’s decision, and would harm America’s consumers, economy, and national security,” Schottenfels said.
Google has maintained that separating its browser business from its search engine could make the internet ecosystem more vulnerable to exploitation by malicious actors. The company argues that its robust infrastructure, which tightly integrates search with other services, provides a unique defense against threats.
A Changing Search Landscape
The DOJ’s latest push for a Google breakup comes as competition in the search market begins to heat up. OpenAI, the AI research lab behind the popular chatbot ChatGPT, recently introduced a search feature, allowing users to access real-time web information directly through its AI tool.
The introduction of search capabilities by OpenAI has been seen by many as a potential challenge to Google’s dominance. Some experts believe that if OpenAI’s search tool gains traction among its millions of chatbot users, it could begin to chip away at Google’s hold on the search market.
However, Google’s dominance in the web search market remains formidable, with over 90% of market share. This entrenched position presents a significant barrier for new entrants, including OpenAI, which would need to not only innovate but also overcome the deep integration of Google’s search services across devices, browsers, and platforms.
The DOJ’s Strategy
The DOJ has suggested that a forced sale of Chrome could help level the playing field, giving rival search engines better access to a browser that serves as a “gateway to the internet” for many users. In addition to divesting Chrome, the DOJ proposed requiring Google to implement a “choice screen” on its browsers, allowing users to select their preferred search engine when no default is set.
This choice screen strategy mirrors a similar measure adopted in Europe, where regulators required Google to present Android users with a selection of search engines. While the approach saw some success in boosting competition, it did not significantly dent Google’s market share.
The DOJ’s latest proposal maintained most of the remedies suggested during the Biden administration, though it softened its stance in some areas. For instance, the government is no longer demanding the divestiture of Google’s artificial intelligence investments, which could indicate a more targeted focus on the search and browser markets.
Google’s Countermeasures
In response to the DOJ’s demands, Google has proposed restructuring its business contracts with mobile device manufacturers and wireless carriers. The company also intends to appeal the antitrust ruling by Judge Amit Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Google argues that its business practices benefit consumers by providing faster, more relevant search results and that breaking up the company would create confusion and reduce the quality of Internet services. The tech giant contends that rather than protecting competition, a forced divestiture of Chrome could fragment the browser market and undermine user experiences.
Growing Pressure on Big Tech
A potential breakup of Google would mark one of the most significant antitrust actions in U.S. history, setting a precedent that could impact other tech behemoths such as Meta, Amazon, and Apple. These companies have also faced scrutiny over their market dominance and business practices.
Should the Trump administration’s push succeed, it could embolden regulators both domestically and internationally to pursue more aggressive actions against monopolistic practices in the tech sector. The European Union, which has already fined Google billions for anti-competitive behavior, might take further steps to curb its dominance.
The April court hearing will be a critical juncture in this battle, with both Google and the DOJ presenting their arguments on how best to address concerns over market competition.