剥离Chrome还是温和整改？谷歌反垄断处罚的博弈分析

Core Viewpoint - In 2024, Google was found guilty of monopolistic practices by a U.S. court due to exclusive agreements with Apple and Samsung, leading to a hearing to determine the penalties for Google, with the U.S. Department of Justice advocating for severe measures, including the divestiture of the Chrome browser and opening search data to competitors, while Google proposed milder remedies [1]. Group 1: Network Effects and Market Barriers - Network effects create a barrier to entry in the search engine industry, where the value of a service increases with the number of users, making it difficult for new entrants to compete against established players like Google [2]. - The self-reinforcing nature of network effects, combined with the Matthew effect, allows Google to continuously enhance its search engine and related products, resulting in a significant competitive advantage [3]. Group 2: Proposed Penalties by the DOJ - The DOJ's proposed penalties include prohibiting Google from entering into exclusive contracts that prevent competitors from gaining market access, which would lower the switching costs for users and weaken Google's network effects [5]. - The DOJ also suggested the divestiture of the Chrome browser, although recent discussions indicate that this requirement may be softened, focusing instead on preventing bundled sales [6]. - Another key proposal involves mandating Google to share search index, advertising data, and user behavior data to eliminate information barriers, which could significantly undermine Google's competitive edge [7]. Group 3: Google's Suggested Remedies - Google proposed to cease exclusive agreements that limit market competition, including not forcing the pre-installation of its services on devices, which would impact its search engine's network effects [10]. - Google also agreed to submit annual compliance reports and allow third-party complaints regarding its compliance with antitrust regulations, indicating a willingness to cooperate with oversight mechanisms [12].