The US Department of Justice (DoJ) plans to ask a federal judge to order Google to sell its Chrome browser. The radical move is part of a broad antitrust lawsuit aimed at limiting the tech giant’s dominance in the online search and digital advertising markets.
The lawsuit, one of the most significant against a technology company in decades, seeks to dismantle what the DoJ describes as systematic anticompetitive practices. Chrome, which controls about 61% of the U.S. browser market, is a central pillar of Google’s digital ecosystem. The DoJ claims that this dominant position allows the company to massively collect user data and strengthen its advertising monopoly, thus fueling the bulk of its revenue.
Alongside this request, the DoJ could also require changes to Google’s use of artificial intelligence and adjustments to its Android operating system, which powers the majority of smartphones around the world.
A historic legal battle
This approach follows a decision rendered last August, in which the American justice system ruled that Google illegally maintained a monopoly in the field of online search. In September, the ministry had already called for the separation of Google’s advertising activities, particularly regarding Google Ad Manager, a key platform in the management of online advertising.
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A ruling in favor of these requests could lead to a major reconfiguration of the global technology landscape, changing the practices of digital giants and paving the way for increased competition.
Google’s defense
Google reacted firmly to this legal offensive. Lee-Anne Mulholland, vice president of the company, denounced what she calls a “radical agenda” by the DoJ. “These types of measures could not only harm consumers and developers, but also weaken U.S. technological leadership in a highly competitive global environment,” she said.
For Google, the possible split of Chrome would not resolve the problems raised by the courts and would, on the contrary, risk disrupting the digital ecosystem, without offering real advantages for users.
A historical precedent
This trial is reminiscent of the attempted split of Microsoft in the early 2000s, also led by the DoJ. Although this initiative failed, it marked a turning point in the regulation of large technology companies. Today, in a context of rapid growth in artificial intelligence and digital transformation, the stakes are even higher.
As the hearings continue, the entire tech industry is hanging on the judge’s decision. An unfavorable outcome for Google could redraw the rules of the game for large digital companies, imposing stricter limits on their expansion and domination in key markets.
