The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a court motion to dissolve Alphabet's Google search business on the grounds that its other consumer businesses give it an unfair advantage.
In a 32-page filing with the US District Court in Washington DC (via Agency), the government agency said it is “considering structural and behavioral solutions that would prevent Google from using products like Chrome, Play and Android to take advantage of Google search.” and Google search-related products and features, including emerging search entry points and features, such as artificial intelligence, over rivals or new entrants.”
It's still unclear whether the Justice Department will succeed, after failing to take down Microsoft over similar web browser monopoly allegations back in 2001. In August 2024, the agency also sued Apple for creating a monopoly by suppressing third parties. services, applications and wallets.
United States against Google
The Justice Department accuses Google of making its search engine the default on smartphones and various web browsers due to its illegal distribution agreements with its operators. Since Android is a popular operating system owned by Google, it's easy to see how a conflict of interest may have developed.
Google has described the presentation as “radical,” although I would even go so far as to say “tubular,” based on how the Department of Justice also takes a dim view of Google taking advantage of its search engine to give prominence to Gemini, the name of its tool. of artificial intelligence. It wants to ensure that websites will be allowed to have more control over whether they opt out of its AI products and over where their ads appear on Google-owned services.
Google Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Anne Mulholland wrote in a blog post that “[Google believes] that today's plan goes far beyond the legal scope of the Court's decision on search distribution contracts,” and that the “broad agenda” will raise “significant unintended consequences for American businesses and competitiveness.”
Yes, yes, God bless the American search engine industry, but it's worth noting that the European Union has been targeting Google's breakup since 2023 in a case that comes after a veritable series of fines issued by data privacy violations. And if the division of Google search is beyond the power of even a bloc of states, the US government may have no hope.