Google may be compelled to divest its Chrome internet browser after a federal judge ruled that the company holds an “illegal monopoly” over online search.
Big Moves: DOJ Wants Google Sold?
According to Bloomberg, the U.S. Department of Justice is gearing up to ask Judge Amit P. Mehta to order Alphabet to part ways with its flagship browser, Chrome. If the judge takes the deal, it could be the biggest antitrust smackdown the U.S. ever unleashes on a tech giant.
Mehta’s Earlier Verdict
Back in August, the judge ruled that Google, which dominates roughly 90% of worldwide searches, used its power to choke out rivals. A trial to dig into potential fixes is slated for next April.
Why Chrome Matters
- It’s the gateway to the internet for millions of users.
- Chrome is hardwired to Google Search by default.
- It tracks user behaviour, letting Google hand out laser‑targeted ads—one of its biggest cash cows.
News of a forced sale sent Alphabet’s shares tumbling a little over a dollar on the New York market.
Antitrust Conditions on the Table
The DOJ is also thinking about giving websites more options, preventing Google from stuffing its AI ingredients into their content.
Right now, Google’s search results often start with AI‑powered “overviews.” The DOJ may force Google to license its data or hand over its search results for the benefit of competitors.
Responses
The DOJ stayed tight‑lipped. Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s vice‑president of Regulatory Affairs, blasted the move as a “radical agenda that goes far beyond legal concerns” and warned it would hurt consumer choice.
What’s Next for Google?
Google plans to appeal once Judge Mehta delivers his final decision, expected sometime in August 2025. Other possible cuts could remove exclusive deals—like the billions Google pays Apple to keep its search engine as the default on iOS devices—and even force a sale of Android.