Google is currently involved in a significant antitrust case that could lead to the divestiture of parts of its business, with Chrome identified as one of the initial targets. Several firms, including OpenAI, Perplexity, and Yahoo, have expressed intentions to acquire Chrome if Google is compelled to separate it from its other services.
The tech giant asserts that it is the only entity capable of effectively managing Chrome, citing the dependence of many of the browser’s features on Google’s internal infrastructure. Google has a lengthy history with antitrust litigation, particularly concerning its business practices.
The company was recently accused of breaching antitrust laws to maintain its dominance in online search, culminating in a case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court in August 2024. This lawsuit alleges that Google has entered into contracts with companies like Apple and Android to ensure that Google Search is the default search engine on their devices.
Reports indicated that Google paid Apple a staggering $20 billion in 2022 to remain the default search engine in Safari on various Apple products. A ruling by U.S. judge Amir P. Mehta deemed Google a monopolist and recommended potential measures such as dismantling Google’s monopoly through divestiture.
Amid this turmoil, other companies have shown interest in acquiring Chrome, prompting Google to advocate for retaining control of it. According to Bloomberg, Parisa Tabriz, Google Chrome’s general manager, indicated that it would be nearly impossible to separate Chrome from Google, citing the unprecedented nature of such a move.
She emphasized the integration of numerous services dependent on Google’s servers, such as Safe Browsing and password protection, which might not function effectively if Chrome were sold off. While some experts believe Chrome could thrive independently, it remains to be seen whether Google can protect its valuable browser amidst the ongoing legal challenges, which currently paint a bleak picture for its future.
Leave a Reply