US is considering breaking up Google, targeting Android and Chrome
The DOJ may break up Google after finding it monopolized the search market, targeting Android and Chrome.
The Department of Justice might break up Google's corporate empire after a court ruling found the company guilty of monopolizing the online search market. Judge Amit Mehta's decision on August 5 highlighted how Google's bundling of Android and Chrome shuts out competition in search.
One of the DOJ's top options is forcing Google to divest Android and Chrome, but other remedies like increased data sharing with rivals or placing limitations on its use of search dominance in new areas like AI are also under consideration. Google's ad platform AdWords, which earned over $100 billion in 2020, might be spun off as well.
Despite these potential actions, Google intends to appeal the ruling, and it will take months or even years to reach a final decision. Other remedies could involve banning exclusionary contracts or compelling Google to share its extensive user data with competitors, with the DOJ lawyers focused on preventing Google's unfair advantage in AI development.