the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, in a landmark move against one of the world’s largest tech companies, top antitrust officials at the Justice Department plan to request a federal judge to order Google to sell off its Chrome browser. This unprecedented action is part of an ongoing effort to address Google’s alleged monopolistic practices in the search market and beyond.
A Historic Antitrust Crackdown
The Justice Department’s push follows an August ruling that found Google illegally monopolized the search market. Now, officials are seeking additional remedies targeting Google-parent Alphabet’s artificial intelligence (AI) ventures and the Android smartphone operating system.
The government, along with participating states, is also expected to propose data licensing requirements as part of the measures. This approach reflects a growing willingness among U.S. regulators to take bold action against Big Tech dominance, marking the most aggressive antitrust effort since the Microsoft case two decades ago.
A Bipartisan Effort
This antitrust case transcends party lines. Originally filed during the Trump administration, it has continued under President Joe Biden. The forthcoming recommendations signal a shared commitment across administrations to curb what is perceived as unchecked power within the tech industry.
While the Biden administration is steering the current phase, the move may very well outlast the administration, given its bipartisan origins and the long timeline of antitrust litigation.
The Broader Implications
If successful, forcing Google to divest Chrome could dramatically reshape the tech landscape, creating opportunities for competition and reducing concerns about Google’s influence in AI and mobile operating systems. The proposed data licensing requirements could further ensure fair competition by making data more accessible to competitors.
This effort highlights the government’s intent to strike a balance between fostering innovation and preventing monopolistic behavior in the digital economy.
What’s Next?
The judge’s decision on the Justice Department’s requests could set a powerful precedent for how tech giants are regulated in the future. As this historic case unfolds, it remains a crucial test of how far regulators can go in their fight to rein in Big Tech.
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The headline is misleading. The judge hasn’t decided anything.
I wonder how many of our crooked congress critters made $$$ on this?
They did it to Microsoft years ago with Internet Explorer