Justice Department Will Reportedly Push Google to Sell Chrome
The Department of Justice will ask a federal judge to force Google to sell its Chrome browser to address its illegal search monopoly, Bloomberg reported on Monday. The Justice Department will also ask the judge, Amit Mehta, to force Google to license its search engine data and stop bundling its Android operating system with products including search and its Google Play mobile app store, according to Bloomberg.
The Justice Department intends to ask for the Chrome sale because it is a key access point via which people use Google’s search engine, Bloomberg reported, adding that details of the remedy could still change. The Justice Department had previously flagged that it could ask for the sale of Chrome or Android as possible remedies.
In August, Mehta ruled that Google had used its exclusive distribution contracts with companies such as Apple and Samsung to create an illegal search monopoly. The Justice Department is expected to formally issue its remedies framework this week, but Mehta is not expected to issue a ruling on remedies until August 2025. Google has said it will appeal the case.