Google Warns Chrome Faces Collapse Under Potential Sale Amid Antitrust Scrutiny

During a high-profile antitrust trial, the U.S. Department of Justice is considering forcing Google to divest its Chrome browser to address Google's illegal monopoly in online search. Google executives, including Chrome's general manager Parisa Tabriz, argue that Chrome's performance and features are deeply dependent on Google's infrastructure, making a divestiture both technically challenging and risky for consumers and developers. The DOJ maintains that Chrome's integration with Google Search has helped entrench Google's dominance, and proposes selling Chrome to rival companies or limiting Google's agreements with device makers. Several interested parties, including Yahoo and AI firms, have expressed interest in acquiring Chrome to boost their own search platforms. Testimony highlighted that Google has contributed the vast majority of code to Chromium, the open-source project behind many browsers, raising concerns about the future of browser innovation if Chrome is separated from Google. The outcome of the ongoing trial could have major implications for the tech industry, with Google expected to appeal any adverse ruling.