Justice Department Proposes Sale of Google Chrome

The U.S. Department of Justice is pushing for the forced sale of Alphabet Inc.'s Chrome browser, which could be valued at up to $20 billion, following a ruling that found Google guilty of illegally monopolizing the search market. Judge Amit Mehta, who ruled against Google in August, is being asked to impose measures that extend beyond search, affecting AI operations and the Android operating system. Chrome, with over 3 billion monthly active users, is crucial to Google's advertising revenue by enabling targeted promotions through user data. The potential sale is part of a broader antitrust initiative that aims to dismantle Google's dominance in the tech industry, reminiscent of the government's past efforts against Microsoft. Google has criticized the DOJ's approach, arguing that such interventions could harm innovation and consumer interests. The outcome of this case may significantly impact the competitive landscape of tech and AI sectors.