Google has countered the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) proposal to break up its services by offering an alternative plan aimed at addressing antitrust concerns in the search engine market.
The DOJ’s initial remedies, stemming from a ruling that labeled Google a monopoly, included drastic measures like forcing the company to sell Chrome, Android, or Google Play. This week, Google submitted its own set of proposed fixes, which focus on adjustments to its business practices rather than dismantling its core services.
More to read:
Google remains the world’s most valuable media brand in 2024, WeChat is the strongest
Google’s counteroffer centers on the agreements and payments it makes to partners like Apple and Mozilla for prioritizing its search engine, as well as licensing terms for Android phone manufacturers and contracts with wireless carriers.
However, the company’s proposal notably avoids the DOJ’s suggestion to share its search data with competitors to level the playing field.
Google’s vice president for regulatory affairs Lee-Anne Mulholland described, in a blog post, DOJ’s proposals as “extreme measures,” noting that the company will appeal the rulings issued by Judge Amit Mehta, who’d described the giant “a monopolist.”
More to read:
Chrome’s sale is likely to end Google era
The key elements of Google’s proposal include unbundling app licensing and fixing the search placement payments. Therefore, for three years, Google would refrain from tying licenses for Chrome, Search, or Google Play to the preinstallation or placement of other apps, such as Chrome, Google Assistant, or the upcoming Gemini AI assistant.
It would also continue paying for default search engine placement in browsers but would allow multiple agreements across different platforms and browsing modes. These agreements would be revisited annually to ensure fairness, according to proposed solutions.
Google will submit its proposals in March 2025. In April, it expects the case to go on trial.
***
NewsCafe is an independent outlet that cares about big issues. Our sources of income amount to ads and donations from readers. You can support us via PayPal: office[at]rudeana.com or paypal.me/newscafeeu, or https://buymeacoffee.com/newscafe. Any amount is welcome.