Google may sell Chrome in search monopoly crackdown

In August 2024, a federal court ruled that Google’s dominance in the search market was built on illegal and anticompetitive practices, solidifying the tech giant’s status as a monopolist with nearly 90% of the global search market.

At the time, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) argued that Google’s extensive use of exclusive agreements with device makers like Apple and Samsung ensured its search engine remained the default option, stifling competition.

Building on that ruling, Techloy reported in October on the DOJ’s proposals to loosen Google’s grip on the search market. These included behavioural and structural changes, limits on exclusive contracts, and rules to foster fairer competition in AI-driven search.

Regulators also emphasized giving publishers more control over how Google uses their content, aiming to prevent the company from exploiting its data advantage in emerging technologies like generative AI.

A monopoly built on Chrome and search

Now, new reports from Bloomberg, suggest that the DOJ is taking its efforts a step further with plans to ask a judge to force Google to sell its Chrome browser—a key pillar of its search dominance.

With 61% of the U.S. browser market and nearly two-thirds globally, Chrome acts as a gateway to Google Search and collects vast amounts of user data, fueling Google’s ad business.

Breaking up Chrome from Google would mark one of the boldest moves yet to curb Big Tech monopolies. However, finding a buyer for Chrome may not be straightforward, with names like OpenAI floated as potential candidates.

Beyond Chrome, the DOJ is targeting other parts of Google’s ecosystem. Proposed remedies include unbundling Android from Google Search and the Play Store, licensing Google’s search data to competitors, and giving advertisers more control over where their ads appear.

These measures aim to weaken Google’s stranglehold on search and advertising, opening the door for rivals like Bing and Yahoo to compete more effectively.

AI at the center of the battle

The DOJ is also scrutinizing Google’s AI tools, particularly the Gemini-powered AI Overviews feature. Publishers have voiced concerns that these AI-generated answers reduce web traffic and ad revenue by bypassing clicks to source websites.

This criticism highlights fears of Google extending its dominance into AI-driven search, further cementing its monopoly.

Interestingly, the report notes that the DOJ may delay a final decision on whether to sell Chrome, depending on the effectiveness of other remedies. This cautious approach reflects the complexity of dismantling Google’s ecosystem without unintended disruptions.

Google has predictably pushed back, describing the proposed measures as “radical” and warning of potential harm to consumers, developers, and innovation.

A trial to finalize these remedies is scheduled for April 2025, with a final ruling expected by August. If the DOJ succeeds, the case could set a global precedent for regulating Big Tech and reshaping how search, advertising, and AI markets operate.