By Nakiwala Barbra
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has proposed sweeping actions to curb Google’s dominance in the online search market, including a groundbreaking recommendation for the tech giant to sell its Chrome browser and face restrictions on its Android platform.
The DOJ’s proposals follow an August antitrust ruling where Judge Amit Mehta found Google guilty of using illegal tactics to suppress competition in the search market. With Google controlling 90% of global online searches, the DOJ argues that drastic interventions are necessary to restore fair competition.
Among the DOJ’s recommendations is a ban on Google’s exclusive agreements with major device manufacturers like Apple and Samsung, which set Google Search as the default engine. The department claims these contracts create insurmountable barriers for competitors, locking consumers into Google’s ecosystem.
The ownership of Chrome and Android has also drawn criticism, with government lawyers arguing that these platforms funnel users to Google Search while stifling rival innovation. The DOJ has proposed that Google be prohibited from re-entering the browser market for five years and be placed under court oversight to ensure fair use of its Android operating system.
Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs, dismissed the proposals as a “radical interventionist agenda,” warning that they could harm consumers by dismantling products widely relied upon. Google has until December 20 to respond, with a final ruling anticipated by mid-2025.
Legal experts view the case as a watershed moment. Professor Laura Phillips-Sawyer of the University of Georgia emphasized that Google’s restrictive contracts have deterred innovation, leaving consumers without viable alternatives. Undoing these agreements, she argues, is key to fostering a competitive market.
The case, initiated during Donald Trump’s first term, has raised speculation about its future under his renewed presidency. However, experts suggest the case is likely to persist, as participating states could pursue it independently.
If enacted, the DOJ’s proposals could reshape the search market, setting a precedent for regulating dominant tech companies and signaling a new era of accountability for Silicon Valley.
