DOJ Proposes Google Divest Chrome, Permits AI Investments

# Google # Chrome

The U.S. Department of Justice is sticking to its guns, still demanding that Google sell off its web browser, Chrome, according to a court filing dropped on Friday. This isn't a new tune—the DOJ floated the idea of Google ditching Chrome back last year when Joe Biden was president, and it looks like they're not backing down even with the second Trump administration in the White House. But, they've eased up a bit on Google's AI ventures, no longer insisting that the tech giant part ways with its hefty investments in companies like Anthropic. “Google’s illegal antics have turned it into an economic behemoth, one that messes up the marketplace just to make sure it always comes out on top, no matter what,” the DOJ stated in a filing signed off by Omeed Assefi, who's currently holding down the fort as the acting attorney general for antitrust. (Just a heads up, Trump's pick to lead the DOJ's antitrust division is still waiting for the green light.) That's why the DOJ says it's keeping the "core components" of its original plan intact, like getting rid of Chrome and stopping those search-related payments to partners. When it comes to AI, the DOJ has softened its stance. They're not pushing for Google to dump its AI investments anymore but would be cool with just getting a heads-up on future moves. And about Android? Instead of forcing Google to sell it now, they're leaving that call to the court down the line, depending on how the market shapes up. This latest move comes after the DOJ and 38 state attorneys general threw down the gauntlet with antitrust lawsuits, leading Judge Amit P. Mehta to call out Google for playing dirty to keep its monopoly on online search. Google's not taking this lying down—they're gearing up to appeal Mehta's ruling but threw out an alternative plan, promising more wiggle room for their partners. A Google spokesperson told Reuters that the DOJ's "over-the-top proposals are way beyond what the Court decided and would mess things up for American consumers, the economy, and national security." Judge Mehta's set to listen to arguments from both sides come April.

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