Prosecutors suggested to a judge on Wednesday that Alphabet’s Google should offer its Chrome browser for sale, share data and search results with competitors, and consider selling Android in order to put an end to its monopoly on online search.
The measures introduced by the Department of Justice are a significant highlight in a groundbreaking Washington case that could revolutionize the way users access information.
They were set to remain effective for a period of ten years, enforced by a court-appointed committee to address what the judge overseeing the case considered to be an illegal monopoly in search and related advertising within the US, where Google holds a 90 percent market share in search activities.
Google’s actions, seen as illegal, have not only prevented competitors from accessing important distribution channels but have also hindered the possibility for rivals to enter these markets with fresh and inventive strategies, as stated by the Department of Justice and state antitrust enforcers in a court document filed on Wednesday.
Their proposals involve discontinuing exclusive agreements where Google annually pays billions of dollars to Apple and other device manufacturers to have its search engine set as the default on their tablets and smartphones.
Google expressed their astonishment at the proposals, labeling them as staggering in a statement released on Thursday.
Alphabet’s Chief Legal Officer, Kent Walker, expressed concerns that the DOJ’s strategy could lead to extensive government intervention, negatively impacting American consumers, developers, and small businesses. This could also endanger America’s global economic and technological dominance at a critical time.
Committee of a technical nature
The proposals cover a range of measures, such as preventing Google from re-entering the browser market for five years and requiring Google to divest its Android mobile operating system if alternate solutions do not effectively revive competition. The DOJ has also asked for a ban on Google’s acquisitions or investments in competitors of search, AI products based on queries, and advertising technology.
Publishers and websites will also have the option to choose not to be included in the training of Google’s AI products.
