The Department of Justice has proposed that Google must divest its Chrome web browser to foster greater competition in the online search market. Additionally, the DOJ has indicated that it may eventually require Google to separate its Android operating system as well.
In a court filing submitted late Wednesday to the DC District Court, the DOJ outlined its proposed remedies following Judge Amit Mehta's ruling that Google maintained an unlawful monopoly in search and search-related advertising. The filing refines the DOJ's earlier broad suggestions, detailing a comprehensive plan to address Google's monopolistic practices.
Among these remedies is the government's insistence on the separation of Chrome, which the DOJ views as a crucial entry point for internet searches. While the proposal stops short of demanding the immediate divestiture of Android, the DOJ has kept that option on the table as a potential future step. This serves as both a deterrent against Google attempting to circumvent other measures and as a fallback if the proposed remedies fail to restore competition effectively. The DOJ has even suggested that Google might voluntarily spin off Android rather than comply with certain restrictions, such as those preventing the preferential treatment of Google Search within Android devices.
Other measures proposed by the DOJ aim to curb Google's ability to use its dominance to stifle competition. For example, the DOJ seeks to prohibit Google from paying third parties -- including major companies like Apple -- to make Google Search the default engine on their devices. Similarly, the DOJ wants to ban agreements that discourage device makers from partnering with Google's competitors. It also proposes barring Google from favoring its own search engine on platforms it owns, such as YouTube or Gemini.
The government also wants to mandate that Google provide access to its search index to competitors at minimal cost and on a continuous basis. This would allow rival search engines to compete on a more equal footing. Furthermore, the DOJ suggests that Google be required to syndicate its search results, ranking algorithms, and query data originating in the United States for a period of 10 years. It also asks that websites be allowed to opt out of Google's AI summaries without suffering negative consequences in search rankings.
The DOJ plans to submit a revised version of its remedies in early March. A two-week remedies trial is scheduled for April in the DC District Court, marking the next phase of the legal battle. Judge Mehta will preside over this trial and decide how best to restore competition in the search and advertising markets.
This trial will take place under a new presidential administration, which could influence the types of remedies the DOJ ultimately seeks. However, the lawsuit itself dates back to the first Trump administration, suggesting that bipartisan interest in regulating Google's market dominance will continue.
Meanwhile, Google and the DOJ are also engaged in a separate antitrust case concerning Google's advertising technology. Closing arguments in that case, which is taking place in Alexandria, Virginia, are scheduled for Monday. Together, these cases represent a significant challenge to Google's business practices and its dominance in key markets.