Sources say the Department of Justice intends to pursue a court order compelling Google to divest its Chrome browser.
Bloomberg, citing unnamed sources, reports that the US Department of Justice will petition the court to mandate the sale of Google’s Chrome browser. This action, according to the outlet, represents a significant regulatory challenge to one of the world’s largest and most influential technology companies.
In August, Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google illegally monopolized the online search market by paying companies like Apple and Samsung to make Google Search their default search engine.
Chrome, holding a commanding 65% global market share—nearly four times that of its closest competitor, Safari—is crucial to Google’s advertising revenue. Bloomberg points out that Chrome’s dominance allows Google to control user internet experience and ad visibility.
The Justice Department reportedly also plans to request court-ordered measures concerning artificial intelligence and data licensing, according to individuals familiar with the matter.
Bloomberg suggests that these proposed actions could significantly alter both the online search landscape and the developing AI sector.
Google’s vice president of regulatory affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, issued a statement, quoted by various media outlets, stating that the government “continues to push a radical agenda that goes far beyond the legal issues in this case.”
The Justice Department initiated this civil antitrust lawsuit against Google, alleging monopolization of search and search advertising, in 2020 under the Trump administration.
In September, Donald Trump stated that, if re-elected, he would pursue legal action against Google, alleging the company presented only “bad stories” about him.
However, in October, Trump expressed reservations about a potential Google breakup, suggesting that making the company “more fair” would be a preferable outcome.
A hearing to address remedy proposals is scheduled for April, with a final ruling anticipated by August 2025.