DOJ to Ask Judge to Force Google to Sell Off Chrome, Bloomberg Reports

Big Tech antitrust battle to reach boiling point

The US Justice Department is reportedly preparing to ask a federal judge to compel Google to sell off its Chrome browser amid longstanding concerns about the company's dominance in the digital advertising market. Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that the DOJ will ask the judge to force Google to divest Chrome as part of an antitrust lawsuit the agency filed against the tech giant last year.

Why is the government after Chrome?

The Justice Department argues that Google has abused its market power in the online advertising market by bundling its search engine with the Chrome browser, which is the most popular browser in the world. This bundling, the DOJ alleges, has given Google an unfair advantage over its competitors and has stifled innovation in the browser market.

In its lawsuit, the DOJ accuses Google of using its dominance in the search market to promote its own products and services at the expense of its rivals. The agency also alleges that Google has entered into anti-competitive agreements to maintain its dominance. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges, Google has paid billions of dollars to Apple to keep Google as the default search engine on Apple devices.

What does this mean for Google?

If the DOJ is successful in its lawsuit, Google will be forced to sell off its Chrome browser. This would be a major blow to the company, as Chrome is responsible for a significant portion of Google's revenue.

In addition to the financial impact, a forced sale of Chrome would also damage Google's reputation. It would be a clear signal that the government believes that Google has been abusing its market power and that the company needs to be broken up.

What does this mean for consumers?

A forced sale of Chrome would likely lead to more competition in the browser market. This could result in lower prices for consumers and more innovative browsers.

There is also a risk, however, that a forced sale of Chrome could lead to more fragmentation in the browser market. This could make it more difficult for consumers to find the right browser for their needs.

What's next?

The Justice Department is expected to file the motion to force Google to sell off Chrome in the coming weeks. It is then up to the judge to decide whether to grant the request.

The judge's decision will have a significant impact on the future of the digital advertising market. It will also send a strong message about the government's willingness to take action against companies that abuse their market power.