The DOJ aims to demonstrate the need for these sweeping changes in a trial set for April, with plans to call witnesses from Microsoft, OpenAI, and AI search startup Perplexity. The DOJ also seeks to stop Google from paying to be the default search engine, end its investments in search rivals and AI products, and license its search technology to competitors. As Google faces increasing competition from alternative search engines and AI-powered platforms, the company is navigating a more dynamic and competitive market landscape.
Key takeaways:
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- Google proposed relaxing its agreements with Apple and other tech companies to address a U.S. antitrust ruling, potentially changing its status as the default search engine on new devices.
- The Department of Justice is pushing for more significant changes, including forcing Google to sell its Chrome browser and possibly the Android operating system, to create a more equitable search engine market.
- Google suggested making agreements with other companies non-exclusive and unbundling its Play Store from Chrome and search on Android devices.
- The DOJ aims to stop Google from paying to be the default search engine and wants it to license its search results and technology to competitors, amid a more competitive market landscape.