Alleged monopoly
US government wants to force Google to sell Chrome browser
The dispute between Google and the US government is entering the next round. Now the tech giant is set to part with its Chrome browser – the most used in the world.
The US government wants to enforce in court that Google has to part with the world’s most used web browser, Chrome. The Justice Department proposed the measure in the competition trial against Google in Washington. In addition, the Alphabet subsidiary will be banned from re-entering the browser market for five years. In addition, Google will be obliged to share search results and information with competitors for ten years.
The judge had already ruled in August that Google had a monopoly in Internet searches and was using unfair means to defend itself against competition. Now the question is what measures should be taken against it.
Donald Trump could strengthen Google’s back
However, it remains unclear how the process will continue. Because the judge won’t make a decision until next summer. Until then, Donald Trump will be US President; he will be sworn in on January 20th. And his government’s course in the process could be completely different.
In an interview during the election campaign, Trump expressed skepticism about breaking up Google. That would help China, he argued. Instead, Trump said he wanted more fairness in search results.
Two out of three internet users surf with Chrome
Chrome is the most used browser for surfing the web, with a market share of around 60 percent in the US and around two-thirds worldwide.
The Justice Department is also demanding, among other things, that Google be required to give competitors access to some data. At the same time, the US government wants to ensure that Google cannot benefit from its own services and does not hold shares in competitors in Internet searches. The day before, the financial service Bloomberg had already written about the key points of the government’s plans.
Another point is the cessation of billions in payments to Apple, which ensured Google’s status as the default search engine on Apple devices. The Ministry of Justice is not currently demanding that Google be separated from the Android smartphone system because it would be too complex an undertaking. However, the US government wants to maintain this as a threat – in case other measures do not have enough effect.
DPA · Reuters
yks
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
