Nov 19, 2024 12:20:00

The Department of Justice plans to force Google to sell Chrome, separate Android search from Google Play, license search data, etc.

The US Department of Justice has decided to ask Google to sell Chrome. The specifics of the requests have not yet been made public, but they are considering requests such as separating search and Google Play from Android, forcing Google to license search data and search results, and creating an option to opt out of AI training.

DOJ reportedly wants Google to sell off Chrome - Android Authority

https://www.androidauthority.com/google-forced-sell-chrome-3500799/

US lawyers will reportedly try to force Google to sell Chrome and unbundle Android - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/18/24300033/doj-google-monopoly-remedies-search-chrome-android-ai

US Justice Department wants Google to sell Chrome, more
https://9to5google.com/2024/11/18/us-doj-google-sell-chrome/

DOJ will push Google to sell off Chrome | Hacker News
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42177767

In October 2020, the Department of Justice sued Google for 'unlawfully maintaining a monopoly in the search and search advertising markets through anticompetitive and exclusionary practices,' and on August 5, 2024, Judge Amit P. Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that 'Google has violated the antitrust laws.'

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

Judge Mehta plans to hold a two-week hearing in April 2025 to decide on corrective measures for Google. The final decision on corrective measures is expected to be made in August 2025. Prior to this, the Department of Justice has prepared a proposal for corrective measures to be proposed to Judge Mehta, and the contents of this proposal have been leaked this time.

According to leaks, the Justice Department has decided to demand that Google sell its Chrome browser business, as well as requiring the company to license search results and search data from its search engines, separating Google Play and search from Android, and forcing the company to share more information with advertisers.

Lee Ann Mulholland, Google's vice president of regulatory affairs, described the leak as 'radical' and commented that 'the measures go far beyond the legal issues in this case.' In addition, when it was reported in October 2024 that 'the division of Chrome and Android is being considered,' Google refuted in a blog post about the concerns about each of the proposed solutions.

Google expresses concern over Department of Justice's consideration of 'splitting up Chrome and Android businesses' - GIGAZINE

Google, which was found to have a monopoly in the search and search advertising markets on August 5, 2024, has since been sued for allegedly violating antitrust laws in its advertising business, with a new lawsuit beginning on September 9, 2024.

The US Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit against Google's advertising business is scheduled to begin on September 9, 2024 - GIGAZINE