DOJ Proposes Major Breakup Of Google’s Search Monopoly

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has asked a federal court to mandate Google’s divestiture of its Chrome browser and implement measures to address its illegal search monopoly.

Filed before the U.S. District Court in Washington, the proposal includes ending preferential treatment for Google services on Android and limiting deals that make Google the default search engine. This case marks a significant antitrust action, with Judge Amit P. Mehta set to decide on remedies next year.

Google plans to appeal the decision while maintaining its stance against the DOJ’s recommendations. If the court adopts the DOJ’s proposal, it would mark the first major breakup of a tech company under U.S. antitrust law since 1982. The case also reflects a shift in U.S. antitrust enforcement, with both the Biden and incoming Trump administrations showing differing approaches.