Google must sell Chrome to restore competition in online search, DOJ argues
Prosecutors argued to a judge on Wednesday that Alphabet’s Google must sell its Chrome browser, share data and search results with rivals and take other measures – including possibly sell Android – to end the online search monopoly.
The measures brought by the Department of Justice are part of a landmark lawsuit in Washington that has the potential to reshape the way users search for information.
They will be in effect for up to a decade, enforced through a court-appointed commission to carve out what the judge overseeing the case said was an illegal monopoly in search and advertising with relevant in the US, where Google processes 90% of searches.
“Google’s illegal conduct deprives competitors not only of vital distribution channels but also of distribution partners who could enable competitors to enter these markets in new and innovative ways,” the DOJ and state antitrust enforcement agencies said in court filings Wednesday.
Their proposal includes ending the exclusivity agreements in which Google pays billions of dollars annually to Apple and other device vendors to make their search engine the default search engine on Google. their tablets and smartphones.
Google called the proposal astonishing in a statement on Thursday.
“DOJ’s approach would result in unprecedented government overreach, harming American consumers, developers and small businesses,” said Alphabet Chief Legal Officer Kent Walker. — while jeopardizing America’s global economic and technological leadership at a time when it is needed most.”
Alphabet shares closed nearly 5% lower on Thursday.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta has scheduled a hearing on the motions for April, although President-elect Donald Trump and the DOJ’s next antitrust chief could intervene and change course in the case .
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
The proposals are wide-ranging, including barring Google from re-entering the browser market for five years and requiring Google to sell its Android mobile operating system if other remedies fail to restore competition. The DOJ also asked to bar Google from buying or investing in search competitors, query-based artificial intelligence products or advertising technology.
Publishers and websites will also have the right to opt out of training with Google’s AI products.
A five-person technical committee appointed by the judge will enforce compliance with the prosecutors’ recommendation. The filing shows that the committee Google will pay will have the power to request documents, interview employees and study software code.
Prosecutors said the measures were aimed at disrupting the “perpetual feedback loop that continues to strengthen Google” through additional users, data and advertising dollars.
CHROME AND ANDROID
Chrome is the most widely used web browser in the world and is a pillar of Google’s business, providing user information that helps the company target advertising more effectively and profitably.
Prosecutors said Google used Chrome and Android to favor its own search engine to the detriment of its competitors.
Google said removing Chrome and Android, which are built on free and open source code, would hurt the companies that built them to develop their own products.
The proposals would prohibit Google from requiring Android-based devices to integrate its search or AI products.
Google will have the option of selling the software instead of complying. The DOJ and state antitrust enforcement agencies would have to approve any potential buyer.
Google will have a chance to present its own proposals in December.
DATA SHARING
Under the proposal, Google would be required to license search results to competitors for a nominal cost and share the data it collects from users with competitors for free. It would be prohibited from collecting any user data that it cannot share because of privacy concerns.
Prosecutors made the proposal after speaking with companies that compete with Google, including search engine DuckDuckGo.
“We think this is a really big deal and will lower the barriers to competition,” said Kamyl Bazbaz, head of public relations at DuckDuckGo.
DuckDuckGo has accused Google of trying to circumvent European Union regulations requiring data sharing. Google says it won’t harm user trust by providing competitors with sensitive data.
