The U.S. Department of Justice is contemplating requesting a federal judge to break up Google following a ruling that its search engine operates as an illegal monopoly, with numerous potential remedies being considered.
Remedies may include imposing restrictions on how Google’s AI extracts content from other websites for search results and preventing Google from paying companies such as Apple to ensure that it remains the default search engine on devices like iPhones.
Driving the news: A U.S. District Judge ruled in August that Google’s search engine engages in anticompetitive behavior to suppress rivals and innovation, setting a trial for proposed remedies in spring 2025 and aiming for a decision by August that year.
- The court filing marks the initial presentation of potential remedies, although the government could choose not to pursue actions like divestiture as part of a thorough approach mandated by Judge Mehta.
What we’re watching: The Justice Department will undergo discovery in the coming weeks and refine its proposal further next month for addressing Google’s antitrust violations.
- Google plans to appeal the ruling once a final remedy is determined, with the appeals process potentially lasting up to five years, prompting concerns about affected innovations and consumers.
- Speculation centers on whether Google might be prohibited from making default search engine agreements through significant deals with tech firms, as the government terms these agreements as a starting point for addressing Google’s improper conduct.
- The government is contemplating structural changes to prevent Google from exploiting its products like Chrome, Android, AI, or the app store for search business benefits, shaping potential remedies.
