The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly now pushing for Google to divest its Chrome browser as part of its final remedy proposal in a significant antitrust case.
This proposal, submitted recently, calls for Google to promptly sell Chrome along with any necessary assets to facilitate the divestiture.
Additionally, it demands that Google stop compensating partners for preferential search placements.
The DOJ’s filing emphasizes that Google’s size and influence have hindered competition, impacting consumer choice and market dynamics.
The government argues that Google’s practices have allowed it to maintain an illegal monopoly in both search and search advertising, which has detrimental effects on smaller competitors.
Originally filed in 2020, the case highlights concerns over Google’s contracts that ensure it remains the default search engine across various devices and platforms.
The DOJ’s proposal also requires Google to notify the government of any new partnerships that may affect competition in the search market.
While Google maintains that its search technology is superior and that users can easily switch default search engines, the DOJ contends that Google’s market dominance is achieved through anti-competitive strategies.
Google has criticized the DOJ’s proposals, asserting they would harm consumers and innovation in the tech sector.
The outcome of this case could lead to significant changes in the tech landscape, as it marks one of the first major antitrust actions against a tech giant in recent years.
Google plans to appeal any remedies imposed, indicating that the legal battle is far from over. The next steps in this case will shape the future of competition in the digital marketplace.
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