ISLAMABAD: Alphabet’s Google and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) are presenting their final arguments in a high-profile antitrust trial that could reshape the online search market.
The trial, which has been underway since April, focuses on whether Google should be forced to sell its popular Chrome browser or take other measures to promote competition in the search engine sector.
The DOJ, together with a coalition of states, is pushing for Google to not only sell Chrome but also share critical search data and stop paying billions of dollars to Apple and other smartphone makers and wireless carriers. These payments ensure Google remains the default search engine on new devices, a practice critics say suppresses competition.
Key Demands and Industry Implications
The government’s proposals aim to break up Google’s stronghold on the online search and advertising markets, which a judge ruled the company dominates illegally last year.
If implemented, these changes could provide a significant advantage to emerging artificial intelligence firms. For instance, OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, expressed interest in acquiring Chrome and gaining access to Google’s search data to enhance the accuracy and relevance of its AI responses.
However, Google argues these demands exceed the legal scope of the ruling and would unfairly hand over its technology to competitors.
In response, Google has begun easing agreements with smartphone makers, such as Samsung, allowing rivals to preinstall their own search and AI tools on devices.
What’s Next in the Antitrust Battle
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, who is overseeing the case, aims to issue a ruling by August.
The decision could redefine the rules for major tech companies and influence how consumers access online information.
The DOJ continues to advocate for stronger measures, including banning Google’s lucrative payments to secure default search engine status on mobile devices.
The outcome of this landmark case will likely have wide-reaching effects on competition, consumer choice, and innovation in the digital economy.
