The Department of Justice is urging a federal judge to break up Google, citing its dominance in search as part of an abusive monopoly. Regulators proposed the sale of Google’s Chrome browser and restrictions on Android to prevent favoritism toward its own search engine.
The recommendations follow an August ruling labeling Google a monopolist. They include banning default search deals like those with Apple, licensing search data to rivals, and enhancing transparency in advertising prices. Critics argue the measures go beyond the court’s findings, but regulators insist they are necessary to restore competition.
Google’s legal team decried the proposals as excessive, warning they could disrupt privacy and innovation. Hearings on the penalties begin in April, but any breakup order would likely face lengthy appeals, prolonging the tech giant’s legal battle.
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