US authorities consider breaking up Google over monopoly charges
15 August 2024 13:02
The US authorities are considering filing a request to break up Google. The local media report that this is related to illegal monopolistic activities in the search engine sector.
As reported in the release by the Polish Press Agency, citing "The New York Times" and Bloomberg, American authorities are considering filing a request to break up Google due to alleged monopolistic practices in the search engine sector. One potential solution is to force the company to sell its Android operating system or the Chrome web browser.
Bloomberg reports that dividing the tech giant is one of the possible and most radical steps aimed at limiting Google's dominance. Other options include forcing the company to share data with competitors and introducing mechanisms to prevent gaining an unfair advantage in artificial intelligence.
The federal prosecutor also intends to request a ban on Google's exclusive agreements with companies such as Apple to ensure that its search engine is the default option for users.
Such agreements were one reason why a federal court in Washington, DC, in a landmark ruling, found Google guilty of illegally exploiting and maintaining its monopolistic position in the search engine and online advertising markets. The court ruled, among other things, that it harms consumers and stifles innovation.
Penalty for Google's monopoly?
The court still has to decide on the penalty and remedies. The US Department of Justice, which, along with many state attorneys, filed the lawsuit against Google, has until 4th September to present its proposed solutions. The hearing will take place on 6th September.
"The New York Times" reports that the federal prosecutor is considering forcing Google to sell the part of the company responsible for the Android operating system or the Chrome browser. Such a scenario would not be the first in the history of antitrust proceedings.
Microsoft defended itself
In the last case of such a large scale - against Microsoft 20 years ago - the court initially ordered the company to sell part of its empire, although an appeals court later reversed this verdict. However, as "NYT" notes, despite this, the ruling had long-term effects, reducing the corporation's dominance and allowing the development of competitive companies such as Google.
