The U.S. Department of Justice is contemplating breaking up Google following a recent court ruling that declared the tech giant holds an illegal monopoly in online search and text ads.
Judge Amit Mehta's decision, which Google plans to appeal, criticized the company's multibillion-dollar deals with smartphone manufacturers to secure default search placement.
If pursued, the DOJ might target Google's Android, Chrome, and AdWords divisions for divestment. However, less drastic measures are also under consideration, including mandated data sharing with competitors and safeguards against unfair AI advantages.
While the case could extend for years, some analysts believe a forced breakup is unlikely. If Google's appeal fails, industry experts anticipate fines and alterations to the company's default search agreements.
The ruling marks a significant development in ongoing efforts to regulate big tech and promote fair competition in the digital marketplace. As reported previously by e4m,
This development is being looked at as the opportunity for a second trial that could lay down remedies and even a break up of Google's parent company Alphabet. As per reports, the proceedings could now continue till 2026. In an earlier development, Google had said it's renewing media partnerships with some smaller publications but with a provision enabling it to revoke the deal at the end of each year.
