Explained: 5 “demands” that are part of the US government’s call to break up Google

US prosecutors have filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Google, seeking to end the tech giant’s dominance in online search. Ministry of Justice The (Department of Justice) proposed a number of radical measures, including the forced sale of the Google Chrome browser and Android operating system. The Justice Department alleges that Google abused its market power to stifle competition and harm consumers. The proposed measures are aimed at leveling the playing field and promoting fair competition in the online search market. The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching consequences for the technology industry and the economy as a whole.

What Google said about the DOJ order

Responding to the DOJ ruling, Kent Walker, president of global affairs for Google and Alphabet, wrote in a blog post: “The DOJ had the opportunity to propose remedies related to this issue: search distribution agreements with Apple, Mozilla, OEMs smartphones. Instead, the Department of Justice has decided to advance a radical interventionist agenda that will harm Americans and America’s global technological leadership. The DOJ’s overbroad proposal goes beyond the scope of the Court’s decision. Google products (even beyond search) that people love and find useful in their daily lives.”
Here are some of the demands that U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) lawyers have made in this case:

Selling Chrome browser

US prosecutors have invited Google to sell its Chrome browser to an approved buyer. The Justice Department argues that Google’s dominance in both Chrome and Android poses significant barriers to competitors because they are the primary channels through which search engines reach users.

Sell ​​Android as a last resort

The Justice Department also suggested that Google could abandon its Android operating system if other protections prove ineffective. The sweeping move underscores the government’s serious concerns about Google’s market power.

Five-year ban on browser ownership

To further level the playing field, the Justice Department is proposing to ban Google from owning or investing in browsers, search engines or related technologies for five years. This will prevent Google from regaining its dominance through future acquisitions or investments.

Ending exclusive deals with Apple and publishers

The Justice Department is seeking to end Google’s practice of paying billions of dollars annually to Apple to be the default search engine on iPhones and iPads. In addition, Google will be prohibited from entering into exclusive contracts with publishers that limit competitors’ access to valuable content.

Mandatory data sharing and licensing of search results

The most far-reaching proposal would require Google to license its search results to competitors for a nominal price and share user data with them, subject to privacy restrictions. This will allow competitors to better compete with Google’s powerful search engine.