Alphabet Inc.’s Google may face a forced breakup as the U.S. Justice Department considers options after a court ruled the company monopolized the online search market. This marks the most serious antitrust challenge since the Microsoft case two decades ago.
Breakup or Data Sharing?
While splitting up Google is one option, other remedies could include forcing the tech giant to share more data with competitors. Officials are also exploring ways to limit Google’s dominance in artificial intelligence products. Alphabet’s shares dropped 3.8% after the ruling.
Possible Targets for Divestment
The Android operating system and Google’s Chrome browser are seen as prime candidates for divestment. There’s also discussion of breaking up AdWords, Google’s text ad platform, as a way to restore competition in online advertising.
Next Steps
The ruling and ongoing deliberations will shape how the U.S. government approaches Big Tech’s monopolistic practices in the future.
More details can be found https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-08-13/doj-considers-seeking-google-goog-breakup-after-major-antitrust-win
