The US government is thinking about asking a judge to break up Google, the search engine giant, in a move that could change the way big technology companies do business.
The Department of Justice said it might impose “structural requirements” to stop Google from keeping its control over internet searches.
This comes after a court ruling in August found that Google had kept its power in online search by using illegal methods.
The DoJ explained that it is considering measures to prevent Google from using its other products, like Chrome, Play, and Android, to help its search engine and related services.
In response, Google warned that these changes could hurt US businesses and consumers. Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s vice president of regulatory affairs, said in a blog post that the government’s plans are “government overreach.”
The DoJ is expected to present a detailed proposal by November 20, while Google has until December 20 to suggest its own solutions.
The August court ruling was a major setback for Google’s parent company, Alphabet. Prosecutors had argued during a 10-week trial that Google was paying billions of dollars to companies like Apple and Samsung to ensure that Google remained the default search engine on their devices.
Google’s lawyers, however, argued that people use Google because they find it helpful, and that the company has invested to improve the service for consumers.
This case is part of a broader effort by US authorities to increase competition in the tech industry. Other big companies, such as Meta (Facebook’s parent company), Amazon, and Apple, are also facing lawsuits accusing them of anti-competitive practices.
