Google Might Be Forced to Sell Chrome to Resolve Monopoly

Key Takeaways

• The DoJ may recommend Google to separate its Android business from Google Search.
• This is being done to end Google's illegal monopoly in the search engine business.
• Google has called it a radical agenda' and plans to appeal against it.

The antitrust ruling against Google has brought in a slew of problems for the tech giant. Now that it has been established that Google's monopoly over the search engine market was gained through unfair means, the DoJ is working on remedial measures.

Google may be asked to separate Android from Google Play and Search. This means that Android devices may not come with pre-installed Google Search and Google Play products.

However, this doesn't mean that Google will have to sell Android. The recommendation only involves the separation of these products and gives the customer more choice over the search engine they want to use.

So, if you purchase a new Android device, you will see a choice screen' where you can set up your preferred search engine, instead of being forced to use Google Search.

Notably, Google had spent $26.3 billion on agreements with phone manufacturers to make these products default on the devices. However, the tech giant will no longer be able to enter such contracts as the DoJ plans to ban them altogether.

Besides this, Google may be required to divulge more advertising information and give advertisers a choice of platform where they want to post their ads.

Google will also have to restrict the usage of content for AI training purposes. The company may have to give more options to websites to prevent the illegal use of training content.

Read more: Google Gemini Asks a Student To Please Die" After They Ask For Help With Homework

Google's Response

Google doesn't seem pleased with these proposed measures. Google's regulatory affairs VP, Lee-Anne Mulholland said that these measures are beyond what is required by the legal structure. The DoJ seems to be propagating a radical agenda' in the garb of curbing monopoly.

This case is about a set of search distribution contracts. Rather than focus on that, the government seems to be pursuing a sweeping agenda that will impact numerous industries and products."

Google has already made it public that they will take the legal route against this issue. The tech giant reiterated that it has not done anything illegal while gaining a dominant position in the market.

The company also said that it has never forced a user to use Google Search - people do so because of the excellence of the product. If anyone wants to switch to any other search engine, they're free to do so as Google doesn't place any restrictions.

While arguments on both sides may seem correct, it remains to be seen what the legal machinery decides for Google. However, it's almost certain that a tech colossus like Google isn't prepared to sit and watch.

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