The Google empire under threat: towards a historic dismantling comparable to that of Microsoft?
The US Justice Department is seriously considering breaking up Google's empire, following a court ruling accusing the online search giant of illegal monopoly, in a move that could mark a historic turning point in the tech industry.
Also read:
The starting point: a damning court decision
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is stepping up its action against Google after a landmark court ruling. Judge Amit Mehta recently ruled that Google broke the law by monopolizing the online search market. The ruling opens the door to sweeping measures, including a possible breakup of parts of the company, including Android and Chrome.
Android and Chrome in the crosshairs
Android and Chrome are at the heart of the current debate. Android, the operating system that powers more than 2.5 billion devices worldwide, and Chrome, the dominant web browser, are accused of contributing to Google's monopoly. Judge Mehta noted that Google imposed restrictive conditions on device makers, preventing fair competition in the search space.
Options on the table
According to a Bloomberg report, among the options the DOJ is considering is the forced divestiture of Android and Chrome. However, other remedies are also being considered, such as requiring Google to share more data with competitors or putting in place safeguards on the use of its monopoly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence.
Implications for artificial intelligence
DOJ lawyers are particularly concerned about how Google is using its control over ad data and vast amounts of user data to strengthen its position in developing advanced AI systems. They plan to ask the court to block Google from requiring sites to share their content data in order to appear in search results, which could weaken Google’s AI efforts.
Other remedies considered
Even if the complete breakup of Google does not materialize, other actions are likely. For example, the banning of exclusivity contracts that were at the heart of this antitrust case. There is also talk of the possible splitting of Google's AdWords platform, which generates substantial advertising revenue.
The AdWords platform and the financial implications
The spinoff of the AdWords platform, which sells text ads that appear at the top of search results, could be particularly damaging for Google. Those ads brought in more than $100 billion in 2020, according to testimony heard at the trial.
Sharing User Data
Another remedy could require Google to share its vast database of user behavior and interests with search rivals, such as Microsoft's Bing. Mehta's ruling reveals that Google's database is 16 times larger than that of its nearest competitor.
Is Your Energy Bill Too High? Google and Microsoft Consume More Than Entire Nations, Threatening the World's Energy Future
This article explores the potential implications of a move by the US Department of Justice to break up parts of the Google empire. With profound ramifications for technology competition and potential implications for the development of artificial intelligence, the technology landscape could be about to change significantly.