Google on trial: The future of Chrome, AI, search, and the internet

Google is guilty. So, what’s it now?

Last summer, Google lost it Landmark Antitrust Case. US District Judge Amit Meta declared “Google is a monopoly,” finding the company illegally acted to maintain its advantage over the search engine market.

Google is now back in court. This time, the US government is arguing what actions should be taken to dismantle its monopoly.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) wants to break up the tech giant. Google is fighting to convince judges that a less dramatic step addresses concerns without passing advantages to foreign rivals. Regardless of the outcome, this trial could restructure how the Internet works.

What is this exam?

This case is separate from the antitrust law Google. Lost earlier this month Beyond that advertising technology monopoly (not to mention recent Anti-trust action against Google in Japan). Therefore, these remedies do not include Google Ad Manager or its advertising tools.

Instead, the results of this exam can affect almost everyone who uses the internet.

DOJ’s proposed relief

To help Google cut across the search market, DOJ has proposed several potential remedies.

1. I’m selling Chrome

At the top of the list of DOJs: Google forces them to sell its dominant web browser, Chrome.

The government argues that Chrome gives Google an unfair advantage by directing users towards Google search by default. About 66% Global Web Browser Market ShareChrome is firmly integrated with Google’s search engine, enhancing the company’s advantage. Already, AI rival Openai has expressed interest in purchasing Chrome.

Selling Chrome is the worst case scenario for Google, but it’s not the only cure on the table.

2. Share user data

DOJ also hopes to help Google share some user data with rival companies to encourage competition in the search market.

3. End exclusive transactions

The central issue in the original case was that Google made its incredibly $20 billion contract with Apple the default search engine for the iPhone. DOJ wants to ban future contracts not only for search but also for new technologies like AI.

For example, the government wants to prevent Google from paying device manufacturers for exclusive use of Gemini, the AI ​​assistant.

4. Unbang Tor Android

Instead of forcing it Google selling Androidits mobile operating system, DOJ, is pushing for another remedy: bundling.

If approved, this means that third-party Android phone makers can ship their devices without pre-installing Google apps such as the search and Play Store, allowing users to choose more freedom.

Google response

Google made it clear: I don’t agree with the verdict. Now it is focused on fighting the proposed remedies and sueing ruling.

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With that post Official Blogthe company said the DOJ proposal would hurt consumers, weaken the US economy and damage America’s position as a tech leader. It called the remedy an example of the “interventionist agenda.”

Google’s defense is that people use products because they like them. Disbanding the service or changing the default settings claims to cause inconvenience to users.

To support that case, Google is expected to call allies such as Apple, Microsoft, and Mozilla. For example, Mozilla says it relies on Google’s funding for Firefox browsers. This is the relationship Google emphasizes to show that the partnership supports the broader internet ecosystem.

Google also emphasizes user safety and privacy in defense. Chrome is based on Google’s open source Chromium platform that drives browsers such as Microsoft Edge and Opera. Google claims that forced sales of Chrome will make it difficult to maintain security updates and protect user privacy, not just for Chrome, but for all Chromium-based browsers. The company could use the same security and privacy debate to counter the DOJ remedies that force Google to share search data with competitors.

Google is also expected to emphasize the meaning of sharing user data with foreign competitors. It’s not surprising to see Google point out AI companies like China’s Deepseek and claim that by disbanding Google, the US government will make concessions to these foreign competitors.

When it comes to remedies, Google has its own suggestion. The company says it will provide “flexibility” to smartphone makers when selecting preloaded apps on Android devices. Google also argues that partnerships like Apple should be allowed to exist, but again, there is more “flexibility” when it comes to the exclusiveness of such transactions.

The future of the web

Credit: Jaap Arriens/Nurphoto via Getty Images)

This case isn’t just about today’s search engines. It’s about the future of AI and how to access information online.

Google warns that it can provide a DOJ remedy Innovating in AI “cold”which we call “probably the most important innovation of our time.” In court, Google may underestimate AI control and point out Openai’s growing influence in the search business as evidence of a competitive market.

Openai looks closely at some of it. During the trial, a company was I’m interested in purchasing Chrome if Google is forced to sell. That raises the question: Will replacing one tech giant with another really solve the problem?

Even if the court decides, the trial and its verdict could cause reverberation across the Internet.