Google Proposes Limits in Antitrust Case

In response to the US government's antitrust demands, Google has proposed a court order that would restrict its licensing practices rather than selling its Chrome browser. The Department of Justice (DOJ) previously called for Google's divestiture of Chrome and to prohibit it from being the default search engine on smartphones, following a ruling by Judge Amit Mehta that deemed Google a monopoly. Google's proposal aims to prevent it from requiring mobile manufacturers to pre-install its software or designate it as the default, while still allowing for partnerships in app promotion. The company argues that its suggested measures are a balanced alternative to the extreme remedy of a forced sale. Regardless of the trial's outcome, Google is expected to appeal any unfavorable ruling, extending the legal battle potentially to the Supreme Court. This case marks a significant shift in federal antitrust enforcement against tech giants, reminiscent of historical attempts to regulate Microsoft.