Google President of Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer, Kent Walker, has denounced the US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) latest antitrust proposal, which calls for the sale of the company’s Chrome browser and potentially its Android operating system.
Story Summary:
- The DOJ has proposed that Google sell Chrome and potentially Android to address its monopoly in the search market.
- Google President Kent Walker slammed the proposal as “radical,” warning of risks to consumer privacy and innovation.
- The antitrust case, one of five against big tech, faces years of litigation, with potential shifts under the incoming Trump administration.
Kent Walker blasts US govt in scathing response
The DOJ’s measures are part of ongoing efforts to address Google’s monopoly in online search and digital advertising, as determined in a landmark ruling in August 2024.
In a strongly worded statement, Walker accused the DOJ of pushing a “radical interventionist agenda” that could jeopardise American technological leadership, stating:
“DOJ’s wildly overbroad proposal goes miles beyond the Court’s decision. It would break a range of Google products — even beyond Search — that people love and find helpful in their everyday lives.”
He listed several potential consequences, including:
- Compromising security and privacy for millions of Americans.
- Undermining Google’s artificial intelligence advancements, which he described as crucial for innovation.
- Introducing bureaucratic oversight through a Technical Committee, with extensive power over Google’s online services.
Walker pledged to submit counterproposals next month and continue fighting the case through all available legal avenues.
Why the US govt wants Google to sell Chrome
The DOJ’s call for divestiture follows findings that Google exploited its market dominance by securing exclusive agreements with device manufacturers, browsers, and wireless carriers.
These agreements ensured that Google Search was the default option on billions of devices, granting the company unparalleled access to user data and further entrenching its monopoly.
Key findings from the DOJ’s case include:
- 90% control of the US online search market in 2020, rising to 95% on mobile devices.
- Use of confidential agreements with companies like Apple and Mozilla to block competitors.
- Expansion into adjacent markets, such as Chrome and Android, using its search monopoly as leverage.
The DOJ has proposed three main remedies:
- Breaking up Google by selling Chrome and potentially Android.
- Restricting default search engine agreements with manufacturers and browsers.
- Appointing a Technical Committee to oversee Google’s compliance and approve future design changes.
The DOJ claims these measures are necessary to restore competition and prevent further abuse of Google’s dominant position.
Industry groups have expressed concern over the DOJ’s approach, with Chamber of Progress CEO Adam Kovacevich describing the proposals as unrealistic and legally unfeasible.
The case also faces uncertainty with the incoming Trump administration, which could reprioritise antitrust enforcement.
President-elect Trump has previously criticised big tech for bias but has also expressed reluctance to pursue drastic remedies like breaking up companies.
The case, which involves five major tech firms including Google, Amazon, Meta, and Apple, is expected to stretch over several years, with potential appeals reaching the US Supreme Court.
