Google proposes corrective measures in response to antitrust violations and requests to sell Chrome business

The US Department of Justice (DOJ)

https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/public-policy/google-remedies-proposal-dec-2024/

Google Offers To Loosen Search Engine Deals In Antitrust Response
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-offers-to-loosen-search-engine-deals-in-antitrust-response/536126/

Google proposes Android contract changes to address Search antitrust
https://9to5google.com/2024/12/20/google-proposes-android-browser-changes/

Google does not acceptthe ruling that its search business violates antitrust laws and plans to appeal. A 'Google Remedies Hearing' is scheduled for April 2025, during which Google and the Department of Justice will be required to outline remedies that would best address the court's decision.

The DOJ has already proposed a remedy, which Google has criticized as 'interventionist.' The DOJ's proposed remedy includes provisions that would force the sale of Chrome and possibly Android, which Google says could 'adversely affect innovative services, such as Mozilla's Firefox, that make their business by charging Google search listing fees.' In fact, Mozilla has argued that the implementation of the DOJ's remedy ' puts Mozilla's future in jeopardy .'

Google's rebuttal to the DOJ's proposed remedies is summarized in the article below.

US Department of Justice demands Google sell Chrome, Google counters, 'This goes far beyond the court's decision' - GIGAZINE

Google said the problem with the DOJ's proposed remedies is that they could harm American consumers and undermine America's global technology leadership by requiring the sharing of users' private search queries with domestic and foreign competitors and restricting American innovation.

So Google has published its own proposed fix .

◆Browser Terms
Browser companies like Apple and Mozilla will be able to negotiate multiple default search engine agreements across different platforms. The court acknowledged that browser companies 'may evaluate Google's search quality against its competitors and determine that Google is superior.' And for companies like Mozilla, these agreements generate significant revenue.

Under Google's proposal, browsers would still be able to offer Google search to users and earn revenue from that partnership. But the proposal would also provide more flexibility: it would allow for multiple default agreements across different platforms (such as different default search engines on iPhone and iPad) and browsing modes, and it would allow users to change their default search engine provider at least every 12 months (as the court ruling explicitly mentioned that a 12-month agreement is 'presumed reasonable' under antitrust law).

◆Android Terms of Use
Device makers will have more freedom to preload multiple search engines and Google apps separately. Again, this gives more flexibility to partners and gives rivals like Microsoft a competitive edge.

Monitoring and Compliance
A robust compliance monitoring system will be put in place to ensure court orders are followed, without giving the government broad powers over the design of users' online experiences.

Regarding the above proposals, Google explained, 'We do not propose these changes lightly. These changes would restrict how customers choose the best search engine and burden our partners. They would also impose burdensome restrictions and oversight on agreements that have lowered device prices and supported innovation in competing browsers. But we believe these measures adequately address the Supreme Court's ruling without endangering the privacy and safety of Americans or harming America's global technology leadership.'

Google has proposed its own remedial measures, but plans to appeal the ruling in April 2025, when the remedial measures will be heard.