Does Google have to sell its Chrome browser?

Google abused a monopoly in Internet search and its market power to consolidate that position, a US court has ruled. It was previously unclear which specific measures would accompany the ruling. However, the US Department of Justice is now advocating for the sale of the Google Chrome browser.

In a nearly 300-page ruling, US judge Amit Mehta not only certified that Google had a monopoly in Internet searches, but also ruled that the company had abused its market power to consolidate this position. For example, the US company pays a lot of money to be the default search engine on Apple devices. The same applies to the Firefox browser.

Monopoly verdict: Does Google have to sell its Chrome browser?

First of all, there are no consequences from the monopoly ruling. Because specific measures should be clarified in a further procedure. Google will likely appeal both cases, which in turn could result in a lawsuit that will last years, if not decades.

However, the US Department of Justice is now apparently advocating that Alphabet subsidiary Google must sell its Internet browser Chrome for antitrust reasons. This comes from a report by the news agency Bloomberg citing insiders.

Accordingly, the ministry wants to ask Judge Amit Mehta in follow-up proceedings to initiate the Chrome sale. The entire procedure is considered “Process of the decade“, as this could result in the breakup of Google or its parent company Alphabet.

Google describes the approach as a “radical agenda”

The US Department of Justice is apparently also seeking measures against the Android operating system. Like the news agency Reuters reported, the authority declined to comment. In response to a query, Google described the approach as a “radical agenda that goes far beyond the legal issues in this case” and would harm consumers.

The company reiterated its intention to appeal. Background: Google Chrome is the most used web browser with a market share of around 60 percent in the USA and around two thirds worldwide.

The competition watchdog could argue that many users access Google's search engine via Chrome. Considerations are being made to initiate a separation of Google and the Android operating system as measures Bloomberg however, was dropped.

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