What you need to know
- The Justice Department is considering antitrust action that could lead to breaking Google’s grip on online search by separating Android, Chrome, and other products.
- The US government sees potential antitrust issues with Google’s Android, Play Store, Chrome, and search services.
- Google argues that the proposed changes could harm users and businesses, and warns that breaking up Android and Chrome would increase costs and hurt competition.
Google could soon face regulatory action as the Justice Department considers antitrust legislation aimed at curbing its control over online search, including the May include splitting.
The US Department of Justice has announced an ambitious plan to take on Google’s monopoly as part of its antitrust case against the company, CNBC reports. This follows a legal victory for the Justice Department in August, when a U.S. district court found Google a “monopolist” for violating antitrust laws in its efforts to remain the default search engine on devices and browsers. It continues.
The U.S. government has discovered a potential anti-competitive network connecting Android devices, Google Play Store, Chrome, and search.
To address these anti-competitive issues, the U.S. may force Google to be more transparent about alternative search options and allow websites to choose whether to participate in AI training. The Justice Department is also considering more extreme measures, such as forcing Google to share search data with competitors and separating Chrome and Android.
The Justice Department also wants to limit Google’s ability to enter into exclusive deals with companies like Apple and Samsung to keep its search engine as the default. Google currently partners with Samsung to share revenue from the Play Store and with Apple for search traffic on Safari.
Another bold option being considered would limit Google’s ability to use its own products, such as Chrome, Play, and Android, to give Google Search and related services a market advantage.
The proposed framework aims to address issues raised by Google’s control over search distribution, revenue sharing, search result display, ad reach and monetization, and extensive data collection and usage practices.
As expected, Google pushed back against the proposed antitrust law, saying it would violate user privacy and significantly restructure the company. LeeAnne Mulholland, Google’s vice president of regulation, expressed concerns about forced data sharing, the potential separation of Chrome and Android, and the challenges of regulating AI tools.
Google argues that the Justice Department’s proposed remedies could harm consumers, businesses, and developers. The company argues that this requirement is too strict and goes beyond the scope of antitrust litigation.
The search giant has highlighted its major investments in Chrome and Android, claiming these products provide consumers with free access to the web and Google services. The company has warned that splitting up Chrome or Android could disrupt the companies’ business models, raise device costs and weaken their competitiveness with Apple.
Recommendations are still up in the air. Judge Amit Mehta is expected to rule on relief by August 2025, but any lasting impact could be delayed for several more years if Google appeals.
