The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has proposed significant measures to end Google’s alleged monopoly in online search, including requiring the company to sell its Chrome browser, share search results and user data with rivals, and potentially divest its Android operating system to restore competition, Reuters reports.
These proposals are part of a landmark antitrust case aimed at addressing Google’s dominance in the search and advertising markets, processing 90% of searches in the US. The DOJ’s proposed measures include ending exclusive agreements where Google pays companies like Apple to make its search engine the default on devices, barring Google from entering the browser market for five years, and prohibiting Google from acquiring or investing in search and advertising technology competitors.
The DOJ also recommends a five-person technical committee to oversee Google’s compliance, with authority to investigate the company’s operations. Should the proposed remedies fail, Google could be required to sell its Android operating system. Google has opposed the measures, claiming they could harm consumers and American businesses. The case is set for trial in April 2024.
