The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has released a 23-page document advocating for the breakup of Google, including a sale of its Chrome web browser and significant restrictions on Android. This confirms earlier reports and escalates the ongoing legal battle against the tech giant.
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The DoJ argues that divesting Chrome would “permanently stop Google’s control of this critical search access point” and enable rival search engines to compete on a more level playing field. For Android, the DoJ insists Google must cease favouring its own search engine. If it fails to comply, regulators suggest Google should be required to divest the Android operating system entirely. Additionally, the DoJ proposes that Google syndicate its search results and sell click and query data to support competition from other search engines and emerging AI startups.
Google responded through its Keyword blog, calling the DoJ’s proposal “staggering” and warning of severe consequences for consumers and American tech leadership. Kent Walker, Google’s Global Affairs president and chief legal officer, wrote, “The DoJ chose to push a radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and America’s global leadership. Their overbroad proposal threatens to dismantle products beyond Search that people rely on daily.”
The legal battle dates back to 2020, when the DoJ and several states filed a lawsuit alleging that Google paid billions to secure default status for its search engine on devices. In August 2023, federal judge Amit Mehta ruled Google is a monopolist, leveraging its dominance to charge “supracompetitive prices” for search text ads. With Google controlling roughly 90% of the search engine market and processing nearly 9 billion daily searches, the ruling bolstered the DoJ’s case for drastic measures.
While the proposals face a long road of legal challenges and appeals, they represent a potential seismic shift for Google and the internet at large. As over 60% of web interactions begin with a search query—most via Google—any structural changes could have far-reaching implications.
