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Justice Department Seeks Breakup of Google, Calls for Chrome Sale. U.S. regulators have recommended a federal court break up Google, citing its decade-long abuse of monopoly power through its dominant search engine. The Justice Department’s 23-page filing calls for Google to sell its Chrome browser and impose limits on Android software to prevent it from prioritizing Google's search engine. The DOJ wants Google banned from multibillion-dollar agreements making its search engine the default option on Apple devices and others. Regulators are also pushing Google to share search data with rivals, aiming to level the playing field in the tech industry. The proposed penalties threaten Google’s business, expected to generate over $300 billion in revenue this year, heavily reliant on search and ad revenue. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who previously labeled Google a monopolist, will decide on the proposed penalties, with hearings starting in April. The Justice Department’s stance may soften under President-elect Donald Trump, who has voiced concerns about a breakup but supported fairer competition in Big Tech. The breakup attempt evokes memories of the Microsoft trial 25 years ago, though experts believe the precedent of its overturned breakup order may influence this case. Regulators claim Google’s tactics, such as default search deals, created unfair advantages and stifled competition, warranting significant corrective measures. If Mehta orders a breakup, Google is expected to appeal, potentially prolonging the case, which has already spanned over four years.
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