# Google’s Antitrust Fight: DOJ Advocates for Chrome and Android Sale
Google has found itself in a courtroom battle concerning its supremacy in the online search sector since a judge declared last year that the company illegitimately monopolized the market. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), alongside 38 state attorneys general, is now amplifying its efforts to dismantle Google’s grip by advocating for the divestiture of its Chrome browser and possibly its Android operating system as well.
## **The DOJ’s Case Against Google**
The DOJ contends that Google’s oversight of Chrome and Android provides it with an unjust advantage in the search engine sector. By possessing both a leading web browser and a widely adopted mobile OS, Google can guarantee that its search engine remains the primary choice for millions of users around the globe.
In a modified legal document, the DOJ stressed that compelling Google to sell Chrome would pave the way for genuine competition within the search sphere. The agency also aims to hinder Google from striking exclusive agreements with firms like Apple, Mozilla, and device manufacturers to have its search engine pre-installed as the default option.
## **A Change in the DOJ’s Approach**
Initially, the DOJ aimed to compel Google to divest its artificial intelligence (AI) ventures, but the recent filing adopts a more lenient approach. Rather than mandating a sale, the DOJ now suggests enhanced oversight, ensuring that Google notifies regulators prior to undertaking any significant AI-related activities.
Likewise, the DOJ is not currently insisting on the sale of Android but is leaving that possibility on the table. Should the proposed solutions fail to foster a more competitive environment, Google may eventually face the necessity of divesting its mobile operating system.
## **Google’s Counterargument**
Google has vehemently rejected the DOJ’s requests, claiming that they exceed the limits of the court’s order. In a filing from December, the company characterized the DOJ’s proposals as an “interventionist agenda” that would interfere with its business functions. Google insists that the focus of the case should be on its agreements with collaborators rather than enforcing a breakup of its core assets.
## **What Lies Ahead?**
As the legal conflict persists, the resolution could bear significant consequences for the tech landscape. If the DOJ succeeds in compelling Google to sell Chrome or Android, it could transform the competitive climate of online search and mobile operating systems.
For the time being, Google is anticipated to challenge the DOJ’s proposals with its counterarguments, laying the groundwork for an extended legal struggle. The definitive ruling will be in the hands of Judge Amit Mehta, who will decide whether dismantling Google’s assets is essential to re-establish fair competition within the market.
No matter the resolution, this case represents a crucial juncture in the ongoing discussion regarding Big Tech’s power and the government’s role in monitoring digital monopolies.
