Janice R. Andrews
The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has unveiled a groundbreaking proposal to restructure Google, calling for the sale of its Chrome web browser and significant changes to its Android operating system. In a recently released 23-page document, the DoJ outlines measures aimed at reducing Google’s dominance in search and advertising markets.
DOJ’s Case for Breaking Up Google
The DoJ asserts that selling Chrome is crucial to curbing Google’s control over internet search access points. “Selling Chrome will permanently stop Google’s control of this critical search access point and allow rival search engines the ability to access the browser that for many users is a gateway to the internet,” the filing states.
The proposal also calls for Google to end its practice of favoring its own search engine on Android devices. Should the company fail to comply, the DoJ suggests Google should divest its Android mobile operating system. Furthermore, the agency recommends Google separate its search syndication processes and sell its click and query data to support competition from other search engines and AI startups.
Google’s Response
Google quickly dismissed the proposal as extreme and harmful to consumers in a statement on its blog, The Keyword. Kent Walker, Google’s president of Global Affairs and chief legal officer, described the plan as a drastic overreach.
“[The] DoJ chose to push a radical interventionist agenda that would harm Americans and America’s global leadership,” Walker wrote. “This staggering proposal would dismantle products millions rely on daily, reaching far beyond the scope of search.”
Background on the Antitrust Battle
This legal conflict began in 2020 when the DoJ, alongside several U.S. states, filed a lawsuit accusing Google of using its dominance to secure default status for its search engine through multi-billion-dollar deals with device manufacturers. In a recent ruling, a federal judge declared Google a monopolist, citing its ability to charge excessive rates for search ads.
Google currently processes around nine billion searches daily and holds approximately 90% of the global search engine market, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of any mandated breakup.
Political Dynamics
The DoJ’s aggressive stance may shift depending on future political developments. Former President Donald Trump, a potential candidate for re-election, has expressed skepticism about breaking up Google, suggesting instead that reforms focus on fairness. “What you can do without breaking it up is make sure it’s more fair,” he remarked recently.
Impact on the Internet Ecosystem
If enacted, the DoJ’s proposals would transform Google’s operations and significantly alter the digital landscape. With more than 60% of web interactions starting with a search — most of which are conducted via Google — the proposed changes could reshape how users and businesses interact online.
Though still in its early stages, this case marks a pivotal moment in efforts to regulate Big Tech, with many legal battles and appeals expected in the coming years.
