Google reacts as US-DoJ demands sale of Chrome browser

In response to the US Department of Justice (DoJ) filing an antitrust lawsuit against Google, the tech giant has expressed its stance.

The DoJ’s lawsuit alleges that Google maintains an illegal monopoly in the search engine and online advertising markets and has demanded that Google sell its Chrome browser.

Google, on friday in its reaction, countered a US call to sell one of its major products, Chrome browser.

The company, instead, ask presiding judge to address antitrust concerns by barring the firm from making favourable treatment of its software a condition of licensing.

In a 12-page application filed, Google proposed an order banning the internet giant from requiring favourable distribution or treatment of its software on mobile devices as a condition of licensing popular apps like Chrome, Play or Gemini.

In contrast, the US government in November asked a judge to order the dismantling of Google by selling its widely used Chrome browser in a major antitrust crackdown on the company.

The US Department of Justice urged a shake-up of Google’s business that includes banning deals for Google to be the default search engine on smartphones and preventing it from exploiting its Android mobile operating system.

The next phase of the notable antitrust trial, in which Google was found to be a monopoly by Judge Amit Mehta in August, will focus on devising remedies to address Google’s violations.

Google has proposed that Mehta bar it from using the licensing desirability of its applications to compel mobile device makers to pre-install its search software or make it the default offering, a court filing showed.

“Nothing in this Final Judgment shall otherwise prohibit Google from providing consideration to a mobile device manufacturer or wireless carrier with respect to any Google product or service in exchange for such entity’s distribution, placement on any access point, promotion, or licensing of that Google product or service,” the proposed order stipulates.

Calling for the breakup of Google marks a profound change by the US government’s regulators, which have largely left tech giants alone since failing to break up Microsoft two decades ago.

Regardless of Judge Mehta’s eventual decision, Google is expected to appeal the ruling, prolonging the process for years and potentially leaving the final say to the US Supreme Court.

The case could also be upended by the arrival of President-elect Donald Trump to the White House in January.

His administration will likely replace the current team in charge of the Justice Department’s antitrust division.

The newcomers could choose to carry on with the case, ask for a settlement with Google or abandon the case altogether.

The trial, which concluded last year, scrutinized Google’s confidential agreements with smartphone manufacturers, including Apple.

These deals involve substantial payments to secure Google’s search engine as the default option on browsers, iPhones and other devices.

The judge determined that this arrangement provided Google with unparalleled access to user data, enabling it to develop its search engine into a globally dominant platform.

AFP