Google is pushing back against the US Department of Justice’s (DoJ) proposal to break up the company over antitrust concerns. They argue that such a move could cause “significant unintended consequences” for both consumers and businesses.
This proposal follows a significant court ruling from August 2024 that found Google’s parent company, Alphabet, engaged in anti-competitive behavior to maintain its dominance in the online search market. The legal battle began back in 2020, when the DoJ raised alarms about Alphabet’s stronghold on the internet. After that ruling, speculation grew that the government might require a breakup of the company.
Recently, the DoJ released a 32-page document presenting a framework addressing its antitrust worries. The document refers to the harmful impacts of Google’s conduct on the market, which they say is essential for all Americans, both as individuals and business owners. It emphasizes the need to restore competition and notes that the court could impose measures to address existing harms and prevent future ones.
The framework highlights several areas of concern, such as the preloading of Google software on hardware devices. It suggests using “behavioral and structural remedies” to stop Google from favoring its own products, like Chrome, the Play app store, and Android, over others.
While the DoJ is expected to provide more details on potential measures next month, Google’s vice president of regulatory affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, has expressed serious concerns. She argues that the DoJ’s approach goes beyond the original legal issues. The focus should be on search distribution contracts instead of a broad agenda that could impact multiple industries and products.
Mulholland pointed out that proposed changes could jeopardize customer privacy and security, and hurt American businesses’ innovation capability. Some of the changes the DoJ is reportedly considering include making Google share its search data with competitors, separating Chrome and Android—which could disrupt both platforms—and limiting the functionality of Google’s AI tools.
She stressed that the business landscape for AI is still evolving, and global competition is fierce. Mulholland warned that government intervention could skew investments and hamper innovative business models, particularly when American technological leadership is at stake. She ultimately describes the DoJ’s proposals as an overreach that could stifle innovation and negatively impact consumers in a rapidly changing industry.
