The US government is thinking about whether to ask a judge to break up search engine giant Google, reports BBC.
If it does indeed take place, then this will be a move that may reshape the business method of tech giants.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) has stated that proposed measures may involve "structural requirements" aimed at curbing Google's dominance in internet search. In response, Google cautioned that these changes could lead to unforeseen repercussions for American businesses and consumers. This announcement follows a significant court ruling in August, which determined that Google had upheld its online search monopoly through illegal practices.
The Department of Justice said in a court filing that it is considering "remedies that would prevent Google from using products such as Chrome, Play, and Android to advantage Google search and Google search-related products".
Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s vice president of regulatory affairs, said in a blog post that the recommendations constitute "government overreach.”
By 20 November, the Department of Justice is expected to submit a detailed set of proposals.
The decision made by the court back in August was a massive blow to Alphabet, Google's parent company.
This court decision came after a 10-week trial. Prosecutors accused Google of paying billions of dollars a year to multiple firms to ensure that Google was their default search engine.
On the other hand, Google's legal team argued that users are drawn to Google due to its utility and that the company is actively investing more to make sure that the consumers are happy. Additionally, there are ongoing lawsuits against other major U.S. tech firms, including Meta (Facebook's parent company), Amazon, and Apple, alleging anti-competitive practices. These legal actions are part of broader efforts by U.S. authorities to enhance competition within the industry.
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