Late Wednesday, the US government filed a motion requesting a judge to mandate the breakup of Google, specifically calling for the sale of its widely utilized Chrome browser as part of a significant antitrust action against the tech giant.
In the court filing, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) proposed a restructuring of Google’s operations, which would prohibit agreements that designate Google as the default search engine on smartphones and restrict its influence over the Android mobile operating system. Antitrust officials indicated that if these measures fail to curb Google’s monopoly, the company should also be compelled to divest itself of Android.
In response to these developments, Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs, accused the DOJ of pursuing an aggressive and extreme interventionist policy.
This call for Google’s breakup signifies a notable shift in the US government’s regulatory approach, which has largely refrained from intervening with tech giants since the unsuccessful attempt to dismantle Microsoft two decades ago. Google is anticipated to present its recommendations in a filing next month, with both parties expected to present their cases at a hearing in April before US District Court Judge Amit Mehta. Regardless of the outcome, Google is likely to appeal the decision, potentially extending the legal battle for several years and possibly placing the final verdict in the hands of the US Supreme Court.
The situation may also be influenced by the incoming Biden administration, which could alter the current leadership managing the DOJ’s antitrust division. New appointees may decide to continue with the case, seek a settlement with Google, or drop it entirely. President-elect Donald Trump has expressed mixed feelings regarding the tech giant’s dominance, criticizing Google for perceived conservative bias while suggesting that a forced breakup may be too drastic a measure for the government.
A Challenging Path Forward
Determining the proper course of action for addressing Google’s alleged misconduct is the next phase of this landmark antitrust case, following Judge Mehta’s ruling in August that declared Google a monopoly.
Walker argued that the proposed breakup would dismantle key Google products and disincentivize the company’s investments in artificial intelligence, warning that the DOJ’s strategy would result in excessive government overreach, ultimately harming consumers, developers, and small businesses while jeopardizing the nation’s position in the global economy and technology sector.
Adam Kovacevich, CEO of the Chamber of Progress, described the government’s demands as unrealistic and not aligned with legal standards, advocating instead for more targeted solutions.
The trial, which ended last year, examined Google’s confidential agreements with smartphone manufacturers, including Apple. These deals involved significant payments in exchange for making Google’s search engine the default option on various devices, providing Google with unmatched access to user data and reinforcing its status as a dominant platform. From this stronghold, Google expanded its empire to encompass additional services like the Chrome browser, Maps, and the Android operating system.
Currently, the US government has five active antitrust cases against major tech firms, following the Biden administration’s tougher stance on regulating corporate dominance. If the Trump administration continues the legal pursuits against Amazon, Meta, Apple, and Google, these cases could take years to resolve.
