US Department of Justice Pushes for Google to Sell Chrome Browser Amid Antitrust Concerns

The US Department of Justice (DoJ) is reportedly seeking a court order to force Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, to sell off its Chrome browser. This move is part of an ongoing antitrust case aimed at dismantling Google’s monopoly over the internet search market and related advertising.

The case against Google, which began during the first term of US President-elect Donald Trump, has seen significant developments. In August, Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google operates an online search monopoly, and the DoJ has been considering various remedies, including structural changes to Google’s business practices. One of the proposed remedies involves ending exclusive agreements with companies like Apple, where Google pays billions of dollars to remain the default search engine on their devices.[

Chrome, which holds nearly 90% of the global browser market and about 61% of the US market, is a critical component of Google’s ecosystem. The DoJ, along with several states that have joined the case, is planning to recommend that Judge Mehta impose data licensing requirements on Google and potentially order the divestment of the Chrome browser. If sold, Chrome could be valued at least between $15 billion to $20 billion, given its massive user base of over 3 billion monthly active users.[

Google has responded strongly to the proposal, calling it ‘radical’ and arguing that it would harm consumers and businesses in the US, as well as undermine American competitiveness in artificial intelligence. The company has also stated that breaking off parts of its business, such as Chrome or Android, would disrupt their business models and raise the cost of devices.[

The potential sale of Chrome has sparked interest from other tech giants, including Meta, Apple, and Amazon, although these companies are also accused of running their own monopolies. The outcome of this case could significantly impact the tech industry, particularly in the areas of browser competition and search engine dominance.