Antitrust ‘hit’: Google ordered to sell Chrome
Google must sell its Chrome web browser, share data and search results with competitors, and take a number of other measures in order to break the company’s monopoly in Internet search, US prosecutors point out.
Such changes would essentially result in Google’s search engine becoming strictly regulated and overseen by the same federal court in Washington that ruled that the company operates an illegal monopoly in online search and marketing.
Google controls about 90 percent of the online search market.
“Google’s illegal behavior has deprived rivals of critical distribution channels, as well as a partner that could enable competitors to enter this market in new and innovative ways,” the US Department of Justice said.
Court documents filed last night expand on an earlier outline of how US institutions want to end Google’s monopoly. At the time, the company called the proposal radical and warned that it would harm consumers and companies, but also undermine American competitiveness in artificial intelligence.
Google said they will appeal to the court.
On the other hand, the Justice Department’s demands are comprehensive and include a five-year ban on Google re-entering the browser market. In addition, they insist on selling the Android operating system if all other measures fail to restore free competition.
Is Google waiting for the arrival of the Trump administration?
The ministry also sought a ban on Google buying and investing in another current search rival, certain artificial intelligence products or online advertising technology.
One of the main demands is that Judge Amit Mehta cancel the exclusive agreements under which Google pays billions of dollars to Apple and other device manufacturers to put Google search on their phones and tablets as default.
Google will have a chance to present its proposals in December.
Mehta had scheduled the trial to begin in April, but the incoming Donald Trump administration and the next Justice Department antitrust chief could change how the case proceeds.
Source: RTS
Photo: Pixabay, BetaAP
Source: bizlife.rs
