Google’s search monopoly battle has entered a new phase, and the proposed fixes from all sides suggest there’s a lot at stake. On one side, the Department of Justice wants the court to step in with more dramatic changes — possibly forcing Google to sell its Chrome web browser or breaking off parts of its Android empire. On the other side, Google is hoping smaller shifts can satisfy the judge’s orders without tearing its business apart.
Friday’s filing, submitted by Google, laid out a plan that it believes addresses the judge’s ruling. At its core is a willingness to reduce the exclusivity of search deals with partners like Apple and Mozilla. Google also says it will allow multiple default search engine deals with phone makers and wireless carriers, rather than locking in a single option across the board. For users who prefer rival search tools, Google’s update would mean more choices for which engine appears on a device by default.
The Justice Department, though, sees Google’s proposals as too weak. Officials claim the company’s control over search could continue if it’s allowed to pay for prime placement on Apple devices and other platforms. They’d like to sever those arrangements entirely. If that’s not enough, they’ve floated the idea of forcing Google to sell Chrome or even break off Android. They think this might be the only way to end what they view as a cycle of dominance.
Google, understandably, opposes any plan that involves cutting its operations to pieces. It points out that the judge’s August ruling centered on the distribution contracts, not on whether Google must hold on to key products like Chrome. In its filing, the company insists that its proposed solutions make it easier for rival search engines to compete without hobbling Google entirely. It also warns that selling Chrome would affect the experience of countless users who rely on its browser.
Some see the government’s approach as overreaching. Others believe the Department of Justice is merely trying to spark real competition. At trial last year, Google insisted that people use its products because they’re effective, not because they’re forced to. But the judge found that Google’s multi-billion-dollar payments to companies for default placement had made it nearly impossible for competitors to catch up.
All eyes now turn to the next steps. Judge Amit Mehta is expected to make a decision on these proposed remedies by August. In the meantime, a two-week trial about how best to fix the situation is scheduled for April. If the judge picks the government’s route, Google’s business could look very different in the not-too-distant future. If the judge sides more closely with Google’s approach, the company may retain its vast ecosystem and keep paying partners for default placement, albeit with some tweaks.
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