The Department of Justice (DOJ) has stated that Google must divest Chrome to re-establish competition in the online search market. However, this is just the beginning of the antitrust battle.
Google is now facing the largest antitrust case in its history. The DOJ has informed that Google should sell Chrome to restore competition and share data and search results with competitors. Additionally, other steps, including possibly selling Android, may be necessary to end Google’s monopoly.
The proposal, presented to Washington DC’s district court, is based on Judge Amit Mehta’s ruling in August that Google established an illegal monopoly in search and search advertising. DOJ’s proposal includes a detailed version of previously submitted solutions and is part of a landmark case that could reshape users’ methods of finding information.
The DOJ wants to prohibit Google from paying Apple and other device manufacturers to make its search engine default. Currently, Google pays Apple $20 billion annually to remain the default search engine. The prioritization of Google’s search engine on its platforms (e.g., YouTube) will also be restricted.
The DOJ has determined that Chrome stifles competition in search and demands its separation from Google. Moreover, to ensure competition, DOJ may require access facilitation. Google might have to open its search data to competitors at “marginal cost.” Additionally, DOJ demands that Google share search results and ranking data with rivals free of charge for 10 years.
DOJ retains the option of separating Android entirely to enforce these rules.
The five-member technical committee's recommendations are not limited to this. DOJ also seeks to prohibit Google from acquiring its competitors, query-based AI products, or advertising technologies. The technical team will have the authority to request documents, interview employees, and inspect software code.
The case's “solution proposal” phase will continue with a two-week hearing in April. DOJ will revise its proposals by early March. Google will have an opportunity to submit its own proposals by December. Given Google’s separate antitrust case for ad tech in the U.S., 2025 may be a challenging year for the tech giant.
