The US Department of Justice is considering 'breaking up Google'

The US Department of Justice has sued Google for alleged antitrust violations, and on August 5, 2024, a judge in the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that 'Google's actions constitute a monopoly.' In connection with this ruling, it has been reported that the Department of Justice is considering corrective measures, including 'breaking up Google.'

DOJ Considers Seeking Google (GOOG) Breakup After Major Antitrust Win - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-13/doj-considers-seeking-google-goog-breakup-after-major-antitrust-win

US Considers Breaking Up Google to Address Search Monopoly - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/13/technology/google-monopoly-antitrust-justice-department.html

The Department of Justice argued that 'Google has a monopoly on general search services and general search text ads, hindering the competitive opportunities of rival companies,' and that 'Google paid $26 billion (approximately 3.8 trillion yen) to become the standard search engine for smartphones, hindering the growth of competitors in the market,' and sued the court for Google's actions violating antitrust laws. On August 5, 2024, Judge Amit P. Mehta of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia accepted the Department of Justice's argument and ruled that 'Google's actions constitute a monopoly on general search services and general search text ads.'

Federal judge rules that Google is violating antitrust laws by paying to maintain its position in smartphone search - GIGAZINE

Following the ruling that Google's actions violated antitrust laws, the Justice Department is considering taking corrective measures. According to sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg is considering ordering Google to sell its Android OS business, Chrome business, Google advertising business, and license its data to rivals such as Microsoft and DuckDuckGo.

This is not the first time that the Department of Justice has considered splitting up a major technology company; it also proposed splitting up Microsoft when it won an antitrust lawsuit against the company in 2000. The Department of Justice ultimately withdrew its proposal to split up Microsoft, but the New York Times pointed out that 'the Department of Justice's proposal to split up Microsoft was withdrawn, but the main legal decisions were upheld. As a result, Microsoft has avoided exerting its dominance in the Internet industry and has left room for startups such as Google to grow,' and argued that if the Google split-up proposal is actually proposed, it will have a major impact.

Google also lost a lawsuit over fees charged by Google Play, and was found to have an illegal monopoly in the app distribution platform market. In connection with this ruling, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed an opinion with the court on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, stating that 'restored competition in the digital platform market will require prohibitions against certain conduct.'

California court rules in favor of Epic Games in antitrust lawsuit against Google - GIGAZINE

FTC Chairman Lina Khan strongly criticized Google, saying, 'Unlawful monopolies should not enjoy the advantages they gain by breaking the law.'

2. The brief explains that effective monopolization remedies must not just stop the illegal conduct and prevent its occurrence but also restore lost competition by opening up the market.

Illegal monopolists should not reap the advantages won through breaking the law.

— Lina Khan (@linakhanFTC) August 13, 2024