Force Sale Of Chrome And Big Changes To Android Search—The DOJ's Proposal To Crackdown On Google's Search Monopoly

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. government is seeking a federal judge's order for Google to divest its Chrome web browser and implement significant changes to its search operations on the Android mobile operating system, following a ruling that Google violated antitrust laws to maintain an illegal monopoly with its search engine [1][3]. Summary by Sections Breakup Proposal - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has proposed a breakup plan requiring Google to sell Chrome, which the DOJ claims has reinforced its market dominance [3]. - The proposal includes a five-year ban on Google reentering the browser market post-sale and prohibits investments in rival search engines, search distributors, or query-based AI products [3]. Impact on Search Access - The DOJ argues that selling Chrome will permanently eliminate Google's control over a critical access point for search, allowing rival search engines better access to users [3]. Changes to Android - The DOJ's proposal also calls for modifications to the Android operating system to prevent Google from favoring its own search engine and ad services [3][4]. Oversight and Potential Divestiture - The DOJ emphasizes that strong oversight will be necessary to ensure compliance with the proposed changes, suggesting that failure to do so could lead to a forced sale of Android [4]. Additional Remedies - Other proposed remedies include prohibiting Google from making deals to be the default search engine on devices like Apple's, preventing preferential access to its own platforms, and requiring Google to share its U.S. search results and ranking signals with competitors for ten years [5]. DOJ's Argument - The DOJ contends that Google's exclusionary practices have created an uneven playing field, disadvantaging rivals and resulting in quality disparities that stem from illegally acquired advantages [6].