US formally requests separation of Google and Chrome: a disaster for the tech giant

© Koshiro K/Shutterstock .com

In August, Google lost its antitrust lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice, which targets its search engine. &#8220 ;After carefully reviewing and weighing the testimony and evidence, the court comes to the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as such to maintain its monopoly”, had explained Judge Amit Metha. The American justice system must now decide on the “remedies” that must be imposed on Google, in order to put an end to this situation.

And for the government, which is Google’s adversary in this case, the solution must be radical: force the sale of the Google Chrome browser. The Justice Department has filed a list of proposals addressed to the judge. In it, it explains that separating Google from Chrome “will permanently end Google’s control over this essential entry point to search and allow competing search engines to access the browser that, for many users, is a gateway to the Internet.”

In addition, the Justice Department is also asking for a ban on agreements between the search engine and companies like Apple or Google. As a reminder, Google pays Apple to have its search engine offered by default to iPhone users. Otherwise, according to CNBC, the government also explained in the document sent to the judge that a forced separation between Google and Android could also be a solution. But the judge admits that such a measure “could raise significant objections from Google or other market players.”

What consequences for Google ?

At the moment, it is not known what the judge's decision will be. For example, it is possible that the American justice system will be satisfied with measures that give more chances to other search engines, without forcing the sale of Google Chrome. However, a forced sale of Google Chrome could be catastrophic for Google, whose search engine is one of its main sources of revenue. In the third quarter of 2024, the “Google Search and others” business generated $49.38 billion, out of a total revenue of $88.26 billion.

But beyond that, a separation from Google Chrome would greatly affect Google's ability to compete with OpenAI in the field of AI. Indeed, Chrome is one of the entry points for Internet users to access the AI ​​Overview feature, which presents search results generated by generative artificial intelligence. Additionally, Chrome allows users to have quick access to Gemini, ChatGPT’s competitor. Otherwise, rumors also suggest that Google is working on an “AI agent” called “Jarvis” that would be able to take control of Google Chrome to perform actions for the user, such as ordering an item online or making a reservation.

Google has already reacted before the official announcement of the Justice Department's proposals, when rumors were circulating on the web. “The Justice Department continues to promote a radical agenda that goes well beyond the legal issues raised in this case”, a Google official said, quoted by the BBC. “A government that puts its thumb on the scale in this way would hurt consumers, developers, and America’s technology leadership at the very moment it needs it most.”

• Google has lost an antitrust lawsuit against its search engine in the United States, and now the courts must decide what action to take against the tech giant
• The Justice Department, Google’s adversary in this case, is seeking the forced sale of Google Chrome
• The courts must now decide, but a separation between Google and Chrome would seriously affect the finances of
• Google as well as its ability to compete in the field of AI

📍 To not miss any news from Presse-citron, follow us on Google News and WhatsApp.

162.1 M reviews

[ ]