The U.S. government is considering whether to request a judge to break up search engine giant Google, a move that could significantly alter the business landscape for technology companies.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) stated that potential measures may include “structural requirements” aimed at preventing Google from maintaining its internet search “monopoly.”
In response, Google cautioned that the proposed changes could have unintended effects on U.S. businesses and consumers.
This announcement from the DoJ follows a landmark court ruling in August, which determined that Google had sustained its dominance in online search through illegal practices.
The DoJ mentioned in a court filing that it is exploring “remedies that would prevent Google from using products like Chrome, Play, and Android to favor Google search and related products.”
In a blog post, Google’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, described the recommendations as “government overreach.”
The DoJ is expected to present a more detailed set of proposals by November 20.
Google will have the opportunity to submit its own proposed remedies by December 20.
The August court decision was a significant setback for Alphabet, Google’s parent company.
This ruling followed a 10-week trial in which prosecutors alleged that Google paid billions of dollars annually to companies like Apple and Samsung to ensure it remained their default search engine.
Google’s legal team argued that users are drawn to the search engine due to its usefulness and that the company invests in improvements for consumer benefit.
Additional lawsuits against major U.S. tech firms—including Facebook parent Meta, Amazon, and Apple—allege anti-competitive practices.
These lawsuits are part of ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to enhance competition within the industry.