The government's proposal aims to "permanently stop Google's control of this critical search access point and allow rival search engines the ability to access the browser that for many users is a gateway to the internet." The proposal also includes restrictions on Google's potential dealmaking and investments in the field of AI. Google will have the opportunity to submit its own views next month, with the Justice Department offering additional perspective in March ahead of a planned two-week hearing in April.
Key takeaways:
- The U.S. Justice Department and a group of states have proposed major changes to Google, including a forced sale of the company's Chrome web browser, following a landmark ruling that the tech giant illegally monopolized online search.
- Google's shares were down 5.5 per cent following the news of the proposal. The company has argued that the DOJ's proposal would harm Americans' privacy and security, stymie Google's investments in artificial intelligence and hurt companies like Mozilla.
- The proposal would prohibit Google from entering into exclusive deals where it paid to ensure its search engine was the pre-installed default on devices or browsers. It would also require Google to license both its underlying "click and query" data as well as its search results to potential rivals.
- The Justice Department also proposed some limits on Google related to AI, barring it from acquiring, investing in or collaborating in any way with any search or digital ad providers. This could potentially affect Google's investment in AI startup Anthropic.