Pichai Testifies US DOJ Proposals Threaten Google Search Integrity

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai testified in federal court that the Justice Department's proposal requiring Google to share its search data and ranking algorithms with competitors would effectively amount to a forced divestiture of its search engine. Pichai argued that such measures could enable rivals to reverse-engineer Google's core technology, undermining 25 years of intellectual property and potentially stifling the company's ability to invest in research and development. He described the proposal as 'far-reaching' and 'extraordinary,' warning it could lead to unintended consequences for innovation and consumer choice. Pichai also contrasted the U.S. proposal with Europe's Digital Markets Act, noting that even the EU's narrower requirements have delayed new product launches, suggesting broader regulations could further slow technological advancement. The testimony comes after a judge found Google had unlawfully maintained its search monopoly, with the court now considering remedies to restore competition. Google maintains that the proposed remedies are too extreme and would fundamentally alter the company's business.