Nov 19, 2024 at 5:09 PM US will try to force Google to sell Chrome in antitrust crackdown to curb market dominance
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly planning to request that Google divest its Google Chrome browser in an upcoming antitrust trial, following a ruling that the company holds an illegal search monopoly. Chrome is accused of being used by Google to promote its own products, thus limiting competition and reducing market diversity.
The DOJ is also considering proposals to separate Google's Android operating system from its Google Search and Google Play Store services, without requiring a complete sell-off of Android. Additionally, the DOJ aims to improve transparency and control for advertisers by requiring Google to share more information and allow greater control over ad placements.
The DOJ's agenda includes addressing Google's bundling practices of its Google Play store with Android and Search, which are viewed as anti-competitive. They are also advocating for measures to allow websites to restrict their content from being used by Google’s AI products and recommending a ban on exclusive contracts that are central to the antitrust case.
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Related news
External links
- Google’s Chrome to Fetch Up to $20 Billion If Judge Orders Sale
- DOJ to ask judge to force Google to sell off Chrome, Bloomberg News reports
- US lawyers will reportedly try to force Google to sell Chrome and unbundle Android
- Report: DOJ wants to force Google Chrome sale, Android de-bundling
- DOJ Will Reportedly Force Google to Sell Off Chrome Browser
- DoJ could force Google to sell Chrome
No matter how it's split, the question will remain whose uh.. puppy.. the spinoff will remain.
Back in the 1980s, the US government broke up the Bell/AT&T system, because of the immense power that monopoly it had over consumers. I would agree in principle to a similar breakup of several Big Tech firms such as Google, because these companies have far more leverage than Ma Bell ever did.
However, the devil is in the details. Where and what products should be broken apart and spun off into independent companies? And how do you keep them from coming back together again, T-1000 style, as the phone companies did?
One thing is for sure: monopolies are good for no one, and we need to be vigilant in the presence of large powers, wherever they might coalesce.
Lol, The real monopoly is Microsoft and no one talks about it, in the same order of idea Microsoft should not own Edge browser pre installed, as OneDrive, Teams, and should not have Microsoft Office too, the same happens with the mandatory sign in and data gathering!
Best to split up Windows from Microsoft then
Reply written Nov 23, 2024
How does breaking Chrome apart even matter, It will still use Chromewebstore which is by Google, Breaking Android would be good but then most apps are only available on Google Play so How does any of it make sense? Or am I missing something?
Even if it did happen, I bet google would just pay the company that took it over to keep it the way it is now.
There's already so many great browsers built on the chrome rendering engine that I really don't know why anyone would still use it outside of on a chromebook.
What will chrome be without google?
Ungoogled Chromium :P
Reply written Nov 19, 2024
Not spyware?
Reply written Nov 20, 2024