US Administration Advocates for Sale of Google’s "Chrome"
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is intensifying its antitrust case against Google, targeting the company's control of the online search market. Reports indicate that the DOJ is pushing for significant actions, including the forced sale...
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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is intensifying its antitrust case against Google, targeting the company's control of the online search market. Reports indicate that the DOJ is pushing for significant actions, including the forced sale of the Chrome browser.
This trial commenced on Monday and is the result of years of investigations, public hearings, and testimonies, culminating in an August ruling that declared Google holds an illegal monopoly in the search sector.
Judge Amit P. Mehta, presiding over the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, is currently hearing arguments from both the government and Google regarding potential solutions to the company’s market dominance. A decision on these "remedies" is anticipated by the end of summer.
In its court filings, the DOJ has argued that Google should be held accountable for alleged monopolistic practices. One suggested remedy is to mandate the sale of the Chrome web browser, which is essential for guiding users to Google’s search platform.
“This is the time for the court to tell Google and all other monopolists who are out there listening, and they are listening, that there are consequences when you break the antitrust laws,” quoted DOJ lawyer David Dahlquist in the New York Times.
The DOJ has also sought the termination of contracts that give Google default search engine status on smartphones and other devices. Additionally, the department has requested that Google provide important data to its competitors to create a more equitable search market.
Plaintiffs maintain that Google, which commands roughly 90% of the global search market, retains its supremacy through illegal agreements that disadvantage rivals, ultimately harming consumers and advertisers alike.
In a trial last year focused solely on liability, it was revealed that Google pays Apple over $20 billion annually to secure its search engine’s status as the default option on Apple's Safari browser.
In court on Monday, Google attorney John Schmidtlein rejected the government’s recommended remedies as “extreme” and “fundamentally flawed.” He stated, “Google won its place in the market fair and square,” as reported by the Washington Post. Schmidtlein argued that the government’s suggestions “will reward competitors with advantages they never would have earned in a market where Google competed.”
Google has expressed willingness to modify agreements with Apple and others to improve visibility for rival search engines on mobile devices. However, the company dismisses most of the DOJ’s proposals, claiming they could stifle innovation. Google has also highlighted increasing competition from new AI companies, such as OpenAI.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
This trial commenced on Monday and is the result of years of investigations, public hearings, and testimonies, culminating in an August ruling that declared Google holds an illegal monopoly in the search sector.
Judge Amit P. Mehta, presiding over the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, is currently hearing arguments from both the government and Google regarding potential solutions to the company’s market dominance. A decision on these "remedies" is anticipated by the end of summer.
In its court filings, the DOJ has argued that Google should be held accountable for alleged monopolistic practices. One suggested remedy is to mandate the sale of the Chrome web browser, which is essential for guiding users to Google’s search platform.
“This is the time for the court to tell Google and all other monopolists who are out there listening, and they are listening, that there are consequences when you break the antitrust laws,” quoted DOJ lawyer David Dahlquist in the New York Times.
The DOJ has also sought the termination of contracts that give Google default search engine status on smartphones and other devices. Additionally, the department has requested that Google provide important data to its competitors to create a more equitable search market.
Plaintiffs maintain that Google, which commands roughly 90% of the global search market, retains its supremacy through illegal agreements that disadvantage rivals, ultimately harming consumers and advertisers alike.
In a trial last year focused solely on liability, it was revealed that Google pays Apple over $20 billion annually to secure its search engine’s status as the default option on Apple's Safari browser.
In court on Monday, Google attorney John Schmidtlein rejected the government’s recommended remedies as “extreme” and “fundamentally flawed.” He stated, “Google won its place in the market fair and square,” as reported by the Washington Post. Schmidtlein argued that the government’s suggestions “will reward competitors with advantages they never would have earned in a market where Google competed.”
Google has expressed willingness to modify agreements with Apple and others to improve visibility for rival search engines on mobile devices. However, the company dismisses most of the DOJ’s proposals, claiming they could stifle innovation. Google has also highlighted increasing competition from new AI companies, such as OpenAI.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
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