US DoJ Stands Firm: Google Must Sell Chrome

The US Department of Justice believes Google should sell its Chrome browser. Android and AI activities escape measures for now.

In a document, the US DoJ, the Department of Justice, confirms plans to break up Google. This has been on the table since Google was officially labeled a monopolist in August. According to the DoJ, the Chrome browser plays a significant role in Google’s monopoly, and therefore the company must sell its browser.

“Google’s illegal behavior has created an economic colossus that distorts the market to ensure it always wins, no matter what,” the ministry officials harshly criticize in the document. Google is called ‘the gateway to the internet,’ and the close ties between Google services and the Chrome browser ensure that many people are anchored in the ecosystem.

This would transfer the more than three billion internet users who surf on the Chrome browser to other hands. According to Google, this is not without risks. The company previously made a counter-proposal to prevent it from coming to this, but seems to be hitting a brick wall.

The DoJ will not accept just any buyer to ensure that the new owner does not pose a threat to national security. While the procedure is ongoing, Google may not launch a new browser, but can continue to maintain the open-source Chromium engine.

Exceptions for Android and AI

The initial DoJ proposal also suggested selling Android, but the DoJ seems to be weakening its position on this. Google services are delivered as standard on almost every Android phone. The ministry is first considering whether it can impose restrictions on how Google promotes its apps through Android. If these measures prove ineffective, a sale of Android may still be discussed.

Furthermore, Google will not face any additional restrictions or measures regarding AI. The government considered, among other things, releasing the queries of AI Overviews in the Google search function. However, the cards are different for Google in the AI world, where it has not managed to secure a pronounced dominance. Google has so far managed to convince the DoJ that this would weaken Google’s competitive position against OpenAI.

Nevertheless, Google is far from satisfied with the proposal. In a response via Ars Technica, Google accuses the ministry of going too far. Google can still appeal to delay measures as long as possible. Google should not expect any gifts from the new administration: regulation of Big Tech is one of the few things Trump doesn’t want to do differently.