Google CEO Sundar Pichai Critiques DOJ Antitrust Proposals

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has publicly opposed the US Department of Justice's proposed remedies in the company's antitrust case, describing them as 'so far-reaching, so extraordinary' that they would amount to a de facto breakup of Google's core assets. The remedies under consideration include forcing Google to share its search index and data with competitors and potentially divesting its Chrome browser, which Pichai argued would severely undermine the company's ability to invest in research and development, harm user privacy, and stifle future innovation. Pichai warned that sharing sensitive user data could compromise privacy and make it easy for rivals to replicate Google's search technology, thus reducing incentives for further development. The Justice Department maintains that these measures are necessary to curb Google's monopoly and promote competition, especially as Google's dominance in search could extend to AI. The case is being heard by Judge Amit Mehta, with a final decision expected later this year, and Google is prepared to appeal if the proposed remedies are adopted.