US regulators are urging a federal judge to force Google to sell its Chrome web browser as a measure to curb the company’s dominance of the search engine market. This follows a court ruling that found Google has maintained an abusive monopoly for more than a decade.
In a 23-page document filed Wednesday, the Justice Department proposed sweeping actions, including divestment from Chrome and restrictions to prevent Google’s Android operating system from prioritizing its own search engine.
The Justice Department argued that the sale of Chrome would “permanently end Google’s control over this critical search hotspot,” allowing rival search engines to compete on a level playing field.
Although regulators stopped short of mandating the sale of Android, they emphasized that Google could still be required to ditch its smartphone operating system if more anti-competitive practices are uncovered.
This latest move highlights ongoing efforts to ensure fair competition in the tech industry and reduce the power of dominant players like Google.