Googleto Dump ChromeOS Force Chrome Sale? Android Pivot Imminent

Google Faces Landmark Antitrust Suit: Forced Sale of Chrome Browser on the Table

By [Your Name], Veteran journalist and editor with experience atXinhua News Agency, People’s Daily, CCTV, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is poisedto deliver a potentially seismic blow to Google’s dominance, reportedly seeking a court order to force the tech giant to divest its Chrome browser. This unprecedented move, revealed by Bloomberg, comes as part of the ongoing antitrust case against Google, and could reshape the online search landscape and the future of AI.

Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser, is considered a key tool for directingusers to Google Search, a business that generated a staggering $48.5 billion in revenue during the second quarter of 2024 – 57% of Alphabet’s total revenue. Google’s near-monopolistic 90% share of the global search market underscores the browser’s strategic importance. While lauded for its ubiquity, Chrome has also drawn criticism for its notoriously high memory consumption.

The DOJ’s proposed remedy, detailed in a 32-page filing last month, considers structural changes to addressGoogle’s alleged monopoly in search and search advertising. The document explicitly mentioned the potential for action against Google’s use of Chrome, the Play Store, and Android to maintain its competitive edge. Now, senior DOJ antitrust officials have reportedly decided to pursue the forceful sale of Chrome, marking what could be the mostsignificant antitrust challenge a global tech giant has ever faced.

While initial proposals considered even more drastic measures, including the forced sale of the Android operating system, sources indicate that the DOJ has opted for a more targeted approach. The focus on Chrome, however, still represents a significant escalation. According to unnamed sources,the DOJ plans to present its proposal, including specific data licensing requirements, to federal judge Amit Mehta on Wednesday. Acceptance of these proposals could fundamentally alter the online search market and potentially revitalize the competitive AI sector.

This case, initiated during the Trump administration and continuing under President Biden, represents the most aggressive attempt bythe US government to rein in a tech behemoth since the failed attempt to break up Microsoft two decades ago. Google’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs responded to the news, stating that government intervention “in this manner will harm consumers, developers, and America’s technological leadership.” Government lawyers have reportedly met withnumerous stakeholders over the past three months to discuss the implications of this landmark case.

The potential impact extends beyond the immediate sale of Chrome. Questions remain regarding the future of the underlying Chromium open-source project, which powers numerous browsers, including Microsoft Edge. The DOJ’s actions will undoubtedly trigger intense scrutiny ofother tech giants and set a crucial precedent for future antitrust enforcement. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the ultimate fate of Chrome and the broader implications for the digital world.

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