Following Judge Amit Mehta’s ruling that Google is a monopolist, the Department of Justice has proposed solutions to address the company’s anti-competitive practices and restore competition in the search engine market.
Read: Judge rules that Android must allow third-party app stores
The DOJ is considering a range of remedies, from behavioural remedies like consent decrees to structural remedies such as divesting parts of the business. One of the key concerns is Google’s control over search distribution and its use of revenue share payments to maintain its dominance on platforms like Apple’s iPhone.
The DOJ suggests that Google could be required to support educational campaigns that help users make informed choices about search engines. Additionally, the department is considering measures to address Google’s behaviour in areas like search results manipulation and anti-competitive practices.
Google has responded to the DOJ’s proposals, arguing that they go beyond the scope of the court’s decision and could have negative consequences for consumers. The company emphasizes the importance of Chrome and Android as free products that have enabled billions of people to access the internet.
The DOJ’s actions highlight the ongoing scrutiny of tech giants and the need to address anti-competitive practices that can stifle innovation and harm consumers.
