Google Faces Pressure By US Department Of Justice To Disown Android & Chrome

Photo 155701673 © Mikhail Primakov | Dreamstime.com

If things go south, Google might soon face a monumental split as part of the US Department of Justice’s ongoing antitrust fight with the tech giant. In an effort to break up what the DOJ describes as Google’s “illegal monopoly” on online search and advertising, the department is proposing remedies that could see Chrome and Android spun off into separate companies. The move is framed as a way to curb the company’s overwhelming dominance in the search market and level the playing field for competitors.

The DOJ’s proposals would prevent Google from using its products—Chrome, Android, and the Play Store—to prioritize its own services over competitors, a strategy that has long kept the company ahead in both search and digital advertising. By cutting off these businesses, the government says it hopes to create space for new entrants and encourage more competitive market conditions.

Breaking: Google just confirmed that the U.S. DOJ is seeking, among other changes, to force Google to split off Chrome and Android. pic.twitter.com/hm0ehiZFfh

— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) October 9, 2024

Unsurprisingly, Google isn’t on board with this plan. The company has warned that splitting off core products like Chrome or Android could have unintended repercussions for consumers and businesses alike.

“We’ve invested billions of dollars in Chrome and Android. Breaking them would change their business models, raise the cost of devices, and undermine competition with Apple,” it noted.

“Chrome is a secure, fast, and free browser and its open-source code provides the backbone for numerous competing browsers. Android is a secure, innovative, and free open-source operating system that has enabled vast choice in the smartphone market, helping to keep the cost of phones low for billions of people,” Google stressed.

Google emphasized that products like Chrome’s Safe Browsing and Android’s security features rely heavily on integration within Google’s broader ecosystem. The company argues that dismantling this structure could raise costs for manufacturers and users, while also compromising security and innovation.

In defense of its practices, Google insists that its business model—providing free services while making money from targeted advertising—helps keep the cost of devices low and offers a competitive edge against rivals like Apple. A breakup, Google argues, would not only force the company to adopt a new business model but could also reduce the effectiveness of its products, leading to higher prices across the board.

It has also raised concerns about the potential privacy risks involved in the DOJ’s plan, asserting that forcing it to share user data like search queries and clicks with competitors could jeopardize users’ personal information if handed over to companies with weaker security standards.

With the DOJ expected to refine its proposal by November and push for a court ruling by March 2025, this legal battle is set to be an arduous one for the firm. Google is gearing up to fight the proposed changes, which could mark a significant turning point in how antitrust laws are enforced in the tech sector.

[via Computer World, Android Central, Mashable, cover photo 155701673 © Mikhail Primakov | Dreamstime.com]