The US government is considering taking drastic measures against tech giant Google, with the Department of Justice (DoJ) contemplating asking a judge to break up the search engine powerhouse. This move could potentially reshape the way technology giants conduct business in the future.
The DoJ has indicated that they are exploring “structural requirements” to prevent Google from maintaining its internet search “monopoly”. This comes after a landmark court ruling in August found Google guilty of maintaining its dominance of online search through illegal practices.
In response to the proposed changes, Google has warned that there could be unintended consequences for US businesses and consumers. The DoJ is expected to submit a more detailed set of proposals by 20 November, with Google having the opportunity to present its own proposed remedies by 20 December.
Google’s vice president of regulatory affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, criticized the recommendations, calling them “government overreach”. The court decision in August was a significant setback for Alphabet, Google’s parent company, following a 10-week trial where prosecutors accused Google of paying billions of dollars to firms like Apple and Samsung to ensure it was their default search engine.
This move against Google is part of a larger effort by US authorities to address anti-competitive practices in the tech industry, with pending lawsuits against other major players like Meta (formerly Facebook), Amazon, and Apple. The outcome of these legal battles could have far-reaching implications for the future of technology giants and competition in the industry.
