DOJ Demands Google Sell Chrome, Considers Android Divestiture in Antitrust Move

Nov 21, 2024, 07:23 AM

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked a federal judge to order Google to sell its widely used Chrome web browser as part of a major antitrust crackdown on the internet giant. The DOJ is seeking to dismantle Google's dominance in the online search market after a court ruling found the company guilty of illegally monopolizing search. In addition to divesting Chrome, prosecutors propose that Google be required to syndicate its search results and information to competitors for 10 years and be prohibited from paying to be the default search engine on browsers and devices. They also suggest banning Google from owning a browser for five years. If these remedies fail to restore competition, the DOJ is considering requiring Google to divest its Android mobile operating system. The proposed measures represent one of the most significant antitrust penalties for a tech giant in a generation.