The threat is getting closer for Google. After the giant Mountain View was convicted this summer of abusing its dominant position in Internet search, it now faces the risk of being dissolved in the United States. This hypothesis is, in any case, one of the treatments studied by the US Department of Justice.
The “radical” scenario.
Concretely, Google may have to part ways with Android and Chrome. US authorities believe that the mobile operating system and browser represent a significant competitive advantage for its search engine, allowing it to maintain its dominance.
This scenario, the verdict “extremist” From Google, it is one of several proposals that the Justice Department sent on Tuesday, October 8, to the judge in charge of the case. He will make his decision in the coming months, before a possible appeal by the company. However, a breakup of Google seems to be the least likely option.
Trade agreements
Among other corrective measures, the authorities call for restricting or blocking several commercial agreements signed specifically with Apple, Samsung and Mozilla, the designer of Firefox, to ensure that it is the default engine for their Internet browser. Likewise, the Justice Department wants to prevent the group from forcing Android smartphone makers to install its search bar.
The Justice Department also proposes forcing Google to share some of its data with its competitors, particularly its search index, which lists all the web pages its robots have indexed. A measure that would allow other engines to compete better.
Opt out of Artificial Intelligence
Another proposed remedy: allowing website publishers to opt out of using content on their websites to train Google’s generative AI models. Or to launch the new “AI Overviews” module, which provides AI-generated answers to certain questions.
In August, the American group was found guilty of anti-competitive practices. The judge found that he had thus been able to illegally maintain his near-monopoly in online search thanks to his other products and financial strength. This allowed him “To increase text advertising prices (sponsored search results, editor’s note) without any significant competitive constraints.”
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