The Department of Justice (DOJ) plans to ask a judge to order Google to sell its Chrome browser, following an August ruling that the company illegally monopolized the internet search market, which handles over 90% of all searches.
Prosecutors argue that reducing Google’s control over search also requires addressing its Chrome browser, Android operating system, and artificial intelligence tools.
Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has pushed back strongly against the DOJ’s anticipated action.
Lee-Anne Mulholland, the company’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, described the government’s plan as advancing a “radical agenda” that extends beyond the case’s legal scope.
She warned that forcing divestitures such as the sale of Chrome or Android would harm consumers, hinder innovation, and undermine America’s leadership in technology. The DOJ has declined to comment on its plans.
If the DOJ’s request is granted, it would mark one of the Biden administration’s most aggressive actions to date against what it sees as monopolistic practices by Big Tech. The outcome could reshape how Americans access information online, cut into Google’s revenues, and give competitors an opening in a market long dominated by the tech giant.
The case also unfolds amid a politically charged backdrop.
President-elect Donald Trump, whose influence among conservatives remains strong, has previously targeted Google, accusing it of bias against him. While he initially promised to prosecute the company, Trump later questioned whether breaking it up was a sound idea. His evolving stance highlights the complex political dynamics surrounding Big Tech regulation.
For its part, Google has indicated that it will appeal the final ruling expected from U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta by August 2025. This appeal could delay any mandated divestitures, setting the stage for a lengthy legal battle.
The DOJ has proposed a range of remedies to address Google’s monopoly.
These include ending exclusive agreements in which Google pays billions annually to ensure its search engine remains the default on devices, forcing the sale of Chrome and Android, requiring Google to share search data with competitors, and preventing the company from using its dominance in artificial intelligence to block rivals’ access to crucial resources. Prosecutors have also suggested allowing websites to opt out of Google’s use of their content to train AI models.
Google has countered that splitting Chrome and Android from its ecosystem would harm both platforms, which it currently offers as open-source products that benefit developers and users alike. The company contends that such drastic measures would destabilize its products, reduce functionality, and ultimately hurt consumers.
This case represents a pivotal moment for antitrust enforcement in the tech sector. A forced sale of Chrome or Android would signal a dramatic shift in the U.S. government’s approach to regulating monopolies.
While similar moves have been rare in recent decades, the Biden administration appears determined to curtail the influence of major technology companies. Whether these efforts succeed will depend not only on the courts but also on the broader political landscape.
As the legal battle intensifies, the stakes are high for Google, its competitors, and the consumers who rely on the company’s products. The coming years will likely define the future of internet search and the role of Big Tech in shaping the digital economy.