The US government is reportedly trying to force Google to sell its Chrome web browser. American magazine Bloomberg has given this report citing unnamed sources familiar with the plans. The claim is therefore to be presented today to Judge Amit Mehta of the US Federal District Court in Washington DC. In August, he ruled that Google was abusing its market power in favor of its search engine business. Next, a decision must be taken about the possible consequences, and here, according to the report, the US government wants to advocate a spin-off of Chrome. So it is not possible to separate from Android.
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Google needs more specifications
The US government now wants to take apart Chrome because it is one of the central entry points to Google searches. Bloomberg continuesAdditionally, it should require Google to license search results and data for its searches. Additionally, Google should be required to provide more options for homepages whose operators do not want content to be used for AI training. It is still proposed that Google would have to separate its Android mobile operating system from its apps, writes Bloomberg. The hearing is to be held in April and the decision may come in August.
If Google were indeed forced to sell Chrome, it would raise the question of which company could actually afford the browser. Bloomberg points out that potentially interested parties that have the necessary purchasing power, such as Amazon, are themselves being investigated by antitrust laws. Chrome is by far the most used browser in the world and is a central part of Google’s business. Anyone who uses it and is logged in to Google at the same time reveals a lot about their own usage behavior, which is used for more targeted online advertising. Google is also using the browser to promote its in-house AI technology Gemini, which could become the next cornerstone of market power.
The decision on Google’s monopoly status was made as part of a court case initiated under Donald Trump. According to the decision, Google has a monopoly in general search engines and in the submarket of text advertising on general search engines. This alone would not be illegal, but according to the court, Google illegally exploited these monopolies to hinder competition. There are potential consequences ahead, and Google will protest strongly. Bloomberg said the company is already saying the plans are part of a “radical agenda” that goes far beyond the legal dispute.
(mho)
