Google is facing a significant antitrust case in the US, with the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking remedies to address the company's alleged monopoly in online search. Indian-origin Judge Amit Mehta, overseeing the trial, has questioned the future of search engines amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
The DOJ is proposing measures to promote competition, including potential divestment of Google's Chrome browser, Android operating system, or other business units. The department also wants to restrict Google from entering exclusive agreements with content publishers and acquiring competitors in search or ad technology without prior approval.
Additionally, the DOJ is seeking data sharing requirements, which would force Google to provide rivals with ad and user-side data for 10 years, free of charge, with privacy safeguards. Judge Mehta has indicated he plans to make a decision by August.
Google argues that the DOJ's demands are too extreme and would unfairly force the company to hand over its technology to competitors. The company believes that the measures would harm consumers, developers, and small businesses, and undermine US global technological leadership.
The case has implications for the tech industry, particularly AI companies like OpenAI, which could benefit from Google's potential divestment. OpenAI's head of product for ChatGPT, Nick Turley, has expressed interest in buying Chrome if it becomes available. The outcome of this case will likely have far-reaching consequences for the future of search engines and the tech industry as a whole.
