U.S. Regulators Seek To Break Up Google, Force Chrome Sale

US regulators are asking a federal judge to break up Google, alleging the company has maintained an abusive monopoly through its dominant search engine, Michael Liedtke reported for the Associated Press (AP).

The aggressive recommendations underscore how seriously the Biden administration views Google’s antitrust violations.

In a 23-page document filed recently, the US Department of Justice proposed sweeping penalties, including the sale of Google’s industry-leading Chrome web browser and new restrictions to prevent its Android platform from favoring Google Search.

“The sale of Chrome will permanently stop Google’s control of this critical search access point and allow rival search engines to compete effectively,” Justice Department lawyers argued.

While regulators stopped short of demanding Google divest Android, they proposed that the judge retain the option if further misconduct emerges under regulatory oversight.

The aggressive recommendations underscore how seriously the Biden administration views Google’s antitrust violations, following a ruling in August by US District Judge Amit Mehta branding Google as a monopolist.