Google may have to sell Chrome, accused of misusing monopoly

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has taken action to modify Google's business policies in major ways. The agency has asked the judge to order Google to sell its widely used Chrome browser. After the DOJ's August decision that Google had illegally established a monopoly in the search market, this action is being taken. Google's Android smartphone operating system and artificial intelligence (AI) are also included in the DOJ's demand.

For a long period, Google has been the leading medium of accessing the Internet. The Chrome browser developed by Google controls about two-thirds of the global browser market. It is integrated with Google's search and forms the very basis of the company's advertising. Through Chrome, users are routed first to Google Search, after which the company gets user data to help in targeting ads. The control of both the Internet and advertising has raised concerns about competition in the tech industry.

The DOJ views this dominance as violating anti-trust laws and considers it anticompetitive and bad for consumers. On its part, Google says that this demand by the DOJ is part of a "radical agenda" and that it is seeking additional action beyond legal issues. Google's Vice President Lee-Anne Mulholland has said this approach by the government will harm consumers, limiting their options.

The case may well be the most aggressive step taken by the Biden Administration against big tech companies. A hearing in this case is set for April 2025 and a final decision should be delivered by August 2025. The prosecutors are weighing remedies that include an end to special deals between companies such as Google and Apple, which gives Google the default search on the device.