The U.S. Justice Department is pushing for the forced sale of Google’s Chrome browser as part of its antitrust case against the tech giant. The rationale behind this move is that Chrome serves as a major gateway for users accessing Google Search, reinforcing Google’s dominance in the online search market. The proposal is part of a broader set of remedies aimed at addressing Google’s alleged monopolistic practices, which include other measures like uncoupling Android from its bundled services, such as Google Search and the Google Play Store.
Legal experts anticipate that the case could face significant hurdles, as it would involve not only divesting Chrome but also addressing the implications for the underlying open-source Chromium platform used by other browsers like Microsoft Edge. Google has stated that splitting off Chrome or Android would disrupt its ecosystem and plans to appeal any such rulings. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for April 2025, with a final decision expected in August 2025.
This development underscores ongoing global efforts to rein in Big Tech and foster fair competition, with the case drawing parallels to previous antitrust actions like the Microsoft case in the late 1990s. Observers suggest that while the proposed measures may increase competition, they could also introduce technical and operational complexities for Google and its users.
