Justice Department calls for break up of Google and sale of Chrome
SUMMARY
The U.S. Justice Department has called for a breakup of Google following its dominant monopoly over the search engine market, citing a 2024 ruling by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta. The 23-page filing recommends selling Google’s Chrome web browser and restricting Android’s preferential treatment of its search engine. Additionally, regulators seek to prevent Google from striking exclusive deals to make its search engine the default on devices like iPhones and require it to share data with competitors. These measures could disrupt Google’s $300 billion business. Although the breakup proposal is part of a tough stance on Big Tech, it faces uncertainty, especially with President-elect Trump’s potential influence on the case. He has previously expressed concerns that breaking up Google could harm the company. The case, which began during Trump's presidency, has seen aggressive action from Biden-appointed officials but might change under the incoming administration.
