According to a report by Bloomberg yesterday, the U.S. Department of Justice’s top antitrust officials have decided to request that a judge force Alphabet’s Google to sell its Chrome browser, as it serves as a critical gateway for most users to access its search engine.
Bloomberg noted that this move marks the most aggressive government action against a tech company since Washington’s attempt to break up Microsoft two decades ago. It would deal a historic blow to Google. Following the news, Google’s stock fell 1.8% in after-hours trading to $172.16.
According to individuals familiar with the plan, the Department of Justice will ask the judge (the same judge who ruled in August that Google illegally monopolized the search market) to take measures related to artificial intelligence and its Android smartphone operating system.
Sources mentioned that antitrust officials abandoned harsher options, such as forcing Google to sell Android. Government lawyers, after meeting with dozens of companies over the past three months, prepared the proposal. States involved in the case are still considering adding some suggestions, and certain details may change.
Insiders also revealed that antitrust officials and the states involved in this antitrust case have recommended that Federal Judge Amit Mehta impose data licensing requirements.
Google’s Vice President of Government Affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, stated that the Justice Department “continues to pursue an aggressive agenda far beyond the scope of this case.” She added, “Government intervention of this kind will harm consumers, developers, and America’s technological leadership at a time when it is most needed.”
Sources indicated that if some aspects of Google’s proposed remedies can create a more competitive market, the government might choose to delay deciding whether Chrome needs to be sold.
According to data from web traffic analytics service StatCounter, Chrome currently holds about 61% of the U.S. market share.
Source: BLaw
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