The US Department of Justice Continues to Push for Google to Sell Chrome
According to a recent court filing, the US Department of Justice is still urging Google to sell its web browser Chrome. This request was initially made last year under the Biden administration and has carried over into the current Trump administration. However, the DOJ has made some adjustments to its demands, no longer insisting on the divestment of all of Google’s investments in artificial intelligence, such as Anthropic.
The DOJ, led by acting attorney general for antitrust Omeed Assefi, accuses Google of engaging in illegal practices that have allowed it to dominate the market and always come out on top. As a result, the core components of the DOJ’s proposal remain unchanged, including the sale of Chrome and a ban on search-related payments to distribution partners.
Regarding artificial intelligence, the DOJ has decided to forego the mandatory divestiture of Google’s AI investments and instead opt for prior notification for future investments. The decision on whether Google should divest Android will be left to the court in the future, depending on market competitiveness.
This latest development follows antitrust lawsuits filed by the DOJ and 38 state attorneys general, with Judge Amit P. Mehta ruling that Google unlawfully maintained a monopoly in online search. Google plans to appeal the decision but has offered an alternative proposal to address concerns raised by Judge Mehta.
A spokesperson for Google expressed concerns over the DOJ’s proposals, stating that they go beyond the court’s decision and could negatively impact consumers, the economy, and national security. The case is set to be heard by Judge Mehta in April, where arguments from both Google and the DOJ will be presented.
