In a major move that could change the future of the internet, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is taking Google to court in a groundbreaking antitrust trial. The trial, which began on Monday, seeks to force the tech giant to sell off its Chrome browser and potentially its Android operating system, in a bid to end what prosecutors claim is a long-standing monopoly over the online search market.
This marks the latest in a series of legal challenges for Google. Just last Thursday, a judge ruled that the company holds an illegal monopoly in advertising technology. Now, the DOJ, along with 38 state attorneys general, is escalating its battle with the company by proposing sweeping remedies to curb Google’s market dominance.
The heart of the issue lies in Google’s multibillion-dollar deals with companies like Apple and Mozilla to remain the default search engine on devices worldwide. These exclusive agreements have long been criticized for limiting competition and innovation in the search engine space—especially from emerging players like AI-powered platforms. Prosecutors argue that these practices have hindered the growth and distribution of rival technologies, including those from OpenAI and Perplexity AI.
The DOJ wants Google to stop these deals, open up its search data to competitors, and if necessary, sell off key products like Chrome. The trial is being overseen by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in Washington, the same courthouse currently handling antitrust cases against other tech giants like Meta.
Google has fired back, labeling the DOJ’s demands as extreme and dangerous. Lee-Anne Mulholland, a Google executive, stated in a blog post that the government is ignoring the Supreme Court’s guidance to proceed cautiously with antitrust remedies. The company argues that forcing it to sell Chrome or Android could destabilize the browser market and harm users by raising smartphone prices and reducing browser security.
Furthermore, Google claims that it subsidizes browser makers like Mozilla, whose survival could be threatened if those payments stop. The company plans to bring in witnesses from Mozilla, Verizon, and Apple to support its defense.
Critics of Google believe this trial could finally level the playing field. Supporters of the DOJ’s move hope that breaking Google’s control will allow smaller players and AI innovators to thrive, resulting in a more diverse and competitive internet.
The outcome of this case could set a historic precedent and reshape how search engines and mobile ecosystems operate for years to come. One thing is clear: the battle over who controls the internet’s gateway is far from over.
