NAIROBI, Kenya- In a heated standoff with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Google proposed a less drastic solution late Friday to address antitrust concerns tied to its Chrome browser.
The tech giant suggested that instead of breaking up its business, the court should bar Google from requiring favorable treatment of its software as a condition for licensing popular apps like Chrome, Play, or Gemini.
This move marks a pivotal moment in a landmark antitrust trial, where Google was ruled a monopoly by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta earlier this year.
While the DOJ has called for dismantling parts of Google’s empire, the company is aiming to preserve its structure by proposing behavioral remedies.
Google’s 12-page proposed order to the court argues against a breakup, suggesting instead that Judge Mehta ban it from using licensing agreements to force mobile manufacturers into pre-installing or prioritizing its search engine and software.
According to the filing, Google would still be allowed to incentivize mobile device makers or carriers to distribute or promote its services, provided it doesn’t make such deals a condition for accessing apps.
“Nothing in this Final Judgment shall otherwise prohibit Google from providing consideration… in exchange for such entity’s distribution, placement… or licensing of that Google product or service,” the proposal stated.
This nuanced approach aims to appease antitrust regulators without upending Google’s business model, a stark contrast to the DOJ’s demands.
The government has called for measures such as barring default search engine agreements on smartphones and limiting Google’s exploitation of its Android operating system to secure dominance.
The stakes are enormous. The DOJ’s call to dismantle Chrome represents a significant shift in U.S. antitrust enforcement, marking one of the most aggressive actions since regulators failed to break up Microsoft two decades ago.
Google’s dominance in search—bolstered by deals like the multi-billion-dollar agreement with Apple to make its search engine the default on iPhones—was a key focus of the trial, which highlighted the company’s unparalleled access to user data and its role in shaping the digital landscape.
Adding to the uncertainty, political winds could drastically alter the case’s trajectory. The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump might replace the DOJ’s current antitrust team.
Depending on its priorities, the new leadership could decide to pursue the case, negotiate a settlement, or abandon it altogether.
Regardless of Judge Mehta’s eventual ruling, the battle is far from over. Google is expected to appeal, potentially dragging the case to the U.S. Supreme Court and prolonging any resolution for years.
Meanwhile, the tech world will closely watch as regulators debate whether breaking up Big Tech is the key to fostering fair competition—or an overreach that could stifle innovation.
