U.S. DOJ Considers Remedies for Google’s Antitrust Violations

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced potential remedies for Google’s business practices in its search engine operations, signaling the possibility of a breakup of the tech giant as an antitrust measure. This development was discussed during a press conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., where U.S. Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter outlined the options under consideration.

Attorney General Merrick Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco were also present during the announcement. The DOJ suggested that the remedies necessary to address Google’s monopoly could include various contractual, non-discrimination product requirements, data and interoperability mandates, and structural changes to the company.

The government is considering both behavioral and structural remedies to prevent Google from using its products such as Chrome, Play Store, and Android to give an undue advantage to its search engine. Google’s dominance in new search access points, including artificial intelligence, also remains a concern.

In a separate development last August, a U.S. judge determined that Google holds a monopoly in the search market. This judgment was part of a case filed in 2020, where it was alleged that Google maintained its market share by erecting barriers to entry and creating a feedback loop that sustained its dominance. The court found this in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act, which prohibits monopolistic behavior.

Kent Walker, Google’s President of Global Affairs, has indicated that the company plans to appeal the ruling. He highlighted the court’s recognition of the high quality of Google’s search products, as noted in the judgment.

Legal experts believe the court may recommend specific changes, such as eliminating exclusive agreements Google has with companies like Apple. They also anticipate the court could suggest measures to facilitate users trying alternative search engines, although these experts view a breakup of Google as less likely.

The financial implications for Google are significant, as the “Google Search & Other” segment represents $48.5 billion in revenue, accounting for 57% of Alphabet‘s total revenue, with a commanding 90% market share.

Decisions regarding these recommendations remain pending. Judge Amit Mehta, overseeing the case, has indicated a goal to rule on the remedies by August 2025. Given Google’s intent to appeal, final impacts could be protracted over several years.

In a parallel antitrust case, a U.S. judge this week directed Google to provide alternatives to downloading apps for Android phones, stepping away from its centralized Google Play Store. Additionally, another DOJ-initiated trial is concluding, centering on Google’s advertising technology business.