The United States Department of Justice continues to press for the sale of Chrome and has requested it again in a new presentation before the federal judge that carries the most complete antimonopoly cause that has been launched against Google. It should be noted that it is the First update of the DOJ since Donald Trump arrived at the White House.
Despite the changes imposed on the key positions of these government lawyers, the new request of the DOJ is very hard against Google. «Google anti -competitive behavior has deprived users of a basic American value: the ability to choose in the market. Through its enormous size and unlimited power, Google has deprived consumers and companies of a fundamental promise that owed the public: their right to choose between competence services. Google’s illegal behavior has created an economic goliath, which ravages in the market to ensure that, whatever happens, Google always wins »can be read in the judicial proposition.
The Department of Justice is asking the court to force Google to get rid of Chrome immediately and completelytogether with all the data or other assets necessary for its continuous operation. Basically, its goal is to take Google the Chrome user base (the most popular in the market, used by about 3.4 billion people) and hand it over to a competitor.
The Government would examine possible buyers to ensure that the sale does not involve a threat to national security. During the term of the sentence, Google will not be able to launch any new browser. However, he can continue contributing to the Chromium open source project, Key not only for Chrome but for the dozen developments that use itsome as important as the Microsoft Edge or Opera.
As expected, Google’s position regarding the solution is light years away from the DOJ: «The broad proposals of the Department of Justice continue to go far beyond the Court’s decision and They would harm consumers, the United States national economy and security«Said a Google spokesman. The Internet giant did not modify the solutions he suggested in the case, and gave the court an identical proposal to the one he presented months ago.
Google does say they are open to change the way the Positioning Agreements in searches for browsers and Android devicesin addition to accepting some additional regulatory supervision to guarantee compliance. However, personnel changes in the Department of Justice and the recent Google meetings (including the payment of one million dollars to Trump’s investiture) have not changed the direction of the government and the general request to divide the company.
Chrome sale, but AI and Android safe
If Chrome’s sales request continues, there are two notable changes in the government’s position and with it, two great Google assets would be safe: Android and artificial intelligence. Although it is difficult that these areas completely escape from government control with the measures proposed so far, Google would not have to detach them.
Even so, it is about to see how Android is since the DOJ continues to ask the court to impose a series of restrictions on how Google can promote its products. And also demands that Google Abandon searches With Mozilla or other companies, such as paying Apple to use your default search engine.
AI is out of equationat least for now. The Department of Justice has softened its position on Google investments in artificial intelligence. Unlike the Biden government proposal, the DOJ now only requires prior notification for future related investments. which allows Google to continue with its advances in artificial intelligence while guaranteeing regulatory supervision. All this is in line with the withdrawal of the Trump administration of the government regulation of artificial intelligence.
The case is expected to be held in April, with hearings in which both the Department of Justice and Google will present their final arguments on the proposed solutions. A final sentence next summer.
