Trump’s DOJ is taking aim at Big Tech through Google, pushing to dismantle the search giant’s empire by forcing a sale of Chrome. After they begged and pleaded with the new President to cancel what the Democrats did! Perhaps if they hadn’t been so anti-Trump all these years…
At a glance:
• The Department of Justice continues to demand Google divest its Chrome browser, a policy initiated under Biden that remains consistent in Trump’s second term
• Chrome has 3.4 billion users worldwide, making it a critical component of Google’s tech ecosystem and market dominance
• Unlike earlier proposals, the DOJ is no longer requiring Google to divest its artificial intelligence investments, including its stake in Anthropic
• Google may also face restrictions on its $20 billion deal with Apple that makes Chrome the default browser on iPhones
DOJ Maintains Tough Stance On Google
The Department of Justice is sticking to its guns and demanding that Google sell off its Chrome browser, continuing a major antitrust initiative that began under President Biden’s administration. This action represents a rare point of policy continuity as President Trump’s DOJ maintains pressure on the tech behemoth.
In court filings, DOJ attorneys accused Google of creating an “economic goliath” through illegal conduct that ensures “Google always wins” regardless of market conditions. The proposed remedy would transfer Chrome’s massive 3.4 billion user base to a competitor, significantly reshaping the tech landscape and allowing smaller players to compete.
🚨🇺🇸 BREAKING | DOJ TO TARGET GOOGLE: SELL CHROME, LIMIT AI
The Justice Department seeks a court order forcing Google to sell Chrome, citing antitrust violations in search dominance.
Proposals include licensing search data, separating Android from Google Play and search, and… pic.twitter.com/pRdkUT5yJr
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) November 18, 2024
Google Fights Back Against “Sweeping Proposals”
Google has responded forcefully to the DOJ’s demands, with a company spokesperson stating that the “sweeping proposals continue to go miles beyond the Court’s decision, and would harm America’s consumers, economy and national security.” The tech giant plans to appeal an earlier ruling that found it maintained an illegal monopoly in online search.
So, what now?
Judge Amit P. Mehta is scheduled to hear arguments from both Google and the DOJ in April, with a court status conference set for March 10 to review the case’s progress. The judge will ultimately decide whether Google must sell Chrome and potentially even the Android operating system if proposed restrictions fail to restore competition.
Unlike earlier proposals, the DOJ now allows Google to retain its artificial intelligence investments, including those in Anthropic. However, the government would require prior notification for future AI investments instead of mandatory divestiture, showing a more nuanced approach to emerging technologies while still targeting Google’s core browser business.
This is a big loss for Big Tech. Did they think that Trump would give them everything they wanted just because they threw some money at his inauguration?
