US government pushes for Google to sell Chrome in antitrust case

The US government on Wednesday (Nov 20) called for a breakup of Google and Chrome, asking a judge to order the dismantling by ordering the tech giant to sell its popular browser.

In an escalation of the major antitrust crackdown on the internet giant, a court filing by the US Department of Justice urged for a shake-up of Google. The proposals reportedly include banning Google deal to be the default search engine on smartphones and possibly requiring Google to sell Android.

Why sell Android?

Antitrust officials said that the tech giant should be made to sell Android if the proposed remedies don't prevent it from exploiting its control of the Android mobile operating system.

It suggested remedies to dismantle what it views as Google's monopolistic stranglehold on the internet 

- Ending default search deals: Google would no longer be allowed to pay companies like Apple to make its search engine the default on devices. 

Also read | Will Google agree to sell its Chrome browser as US govt raises monopoly concerns?

- Selling Chrome: By controlling the browser market, the DOJ argues, Google strengthens its grip on search and user data. 

- Potential Android sale.

These DOJ recommendations come after an August judgement by Judge Amit Mehta who ruled that Google by maintaining a monopoly on the search engine market, had violated laws.

Google fires back

Slamming the US government proposal, Google president of global affairs Kent Walker said Justice officials "chose to push a radical interventionist agenda".

These remedies "would break a range of Google products" and undermine the company's investment in technologies like artificial intelligence, Walker said.

Also read | Will Google be forced to sell Chrome, the world's most-used web browser? Decision likely soon

"DOJ's approach would result in unprecedented government overreach that would harm American consumers, developers, and small businesses -- and jeopardize America's global economic and technological leadership," he added.

Meanwhile, Adam Kovacevich, head of the industry group Chamber of Progress, dismissed the government’s demands as "fantastical" and in defiance of legal standards.

Even if the Judge orders Google's breakup, the road ahead is long. Google is expected to appeal, potentially dragging the case to the US Supreme Court. 

(With inputs from agencies)