Google faces antitrust heat as DOJ targets Chrome and Android

US Department of Justice reportedly pursuing antitrust action against Google, seeking sale of Chrome and separation of Android from Google Play and search, move that could reshape tech industry and deeply affect Google's revenue streams​

Who's facing the antitrust music first: Google or Meta? According to Bloomberg's latest scoop, Google seems to be at the top of the hit list. The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly gearing up to demand some major shake-ups, including the sale of Google’s Chrome browser and the separation of Android from its search and Google Play divisions.

Chrome, dominating with about 67% market share, could cause a massive revenue loss for Google if it is sold. The browser is pivotal for Google's data access and targeted ads strategy. The lawsuit claims Chrome's integration allows Google to push its other services unchallenged, stifling competition and limiting distribution for rival browsers.

Android isn't off the hook either. Although Google might retain the OS, the Justice Department wants it split from Google’s search and especially from Google Play, which not only houses the app store but also links third-party apps to Google’s tracking and advertising services. This mirrors the EU’s demands on Apple to allow competing app platforms. A successful separation could mean users opting out of Google services for emails, navigation, app downloads, or calls, using third-party alternatives instead. Android currently holds about 72% of the mobile market, with Apple’s iOS at 28%, as per StatCounter.

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Google faces antitrust heat as DOJ targets Chrome and Android

US Department of Justice reportedly pursuing antitrust action against Google, seeking sale of Chrome and separation of Android from Google Play and search, move that could reshape tech industry and deeply affect Google's revenue streams

www.ynetnews.com

 

[Tall Timbers]

Google does seem to be a bit of a Monopoly, one that I don't personally care for much... but a lot of thought needs to go into it before a company is broken up. Way back when the US busted up the phone monopoly that existed and we all ended up paying more for phone service, and then the broken up pieces started buying each other up... It wasn't a breakup that resulted in a lot of good for the consumer. Hopefully great care will be taken with regards to the decisions made to breakup google.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

My phone is already too smart for me.
If we have to have pieces and parts that might not play well with each other and cause great confusion and difficulty, it might be even more difficult for old people to use the phone, even for simple tasks. We might not even be able to use our hearing aid app or call 911.

Methinks this may be an attack by Apple to try to reduce competition.

Regardless, it's going to hurt old people

 

[Tall Timbers]

Saw this article on the topic of breaking up Google:

Breaking Up Google Will Be a Great American Catastrophe

Earlier this year, in one of the most absurd court rulings in modern times, federal judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google violated U.S. antitrust law by gaining a monopoly in the search engine markets.

In the days or weeks ahead, the courts will decide whether to break up one of America's most iconic companies or to sell off some of its activities and products. The latest reports are that the courts may require Google to sell off its popular Chrome browser. (To whom? China?) It may also require Google to surrender other products to help erase its market lead.

With a market cap of roughly $2 trillion, Google is one of the five most profitable companies in the world. It got there by offering a search engine service FOR FREE to hundreds of millions of customers. This may be the largest benefit to consumers of any company in world history.

Breaking Up Google Will Be a Great American Catastrophe

townhall.com