Google Claims Forcing Sale of Chrome and Android Could Endanger Consumers and Partners Like Firefox
Earlier, the U.S. Department of Justice was contemplating requiring Google to divest its browser product, Chrome, and also considering forcing Google to sell the Android operating system. This move aims to address Google's monopolistic behavior in the search domain.
Google's search dominance is indeed bolstered by both the browser and mobile operating system, but divesting Chrome and Android could spell disaster for Google.
In response, Google published a blog post rebutting the Department of Justice's proposal and potential considerations, arguing that such actions would severely impact consumers, partners, and undermine the economic and technological leadership of the United States.
In the blog post, Google stated:
- Forcing the sale of Chrome and potentially Android would jeopardize the security and privacy of millions of Americans and degrade the quality of beloved products;
- It would require disclosing Google's innovations and successes to unknown domestic and international companies, even demanding the revelation of Americans' personal search queries;
- Artificial intelligence is perhaps the most significant innovation of our time, and Google plays a leading role in this field;
- It would harm innovative services like Mozilla Firefox, which rely on collecting search fees from Google;
Google aims to draw public attention and halt the Department of Justice's actions through these statements. However, merely blogging about it isn't enough, and Google is prepared to continue appealing and fighting against the Department of Justice.
Nonetheless, the Department of Justice is not easily fooled. Having decided to bring an antitrust lawsuit against Google and considering these potential solutions to Google's search monopoly, the Department is unlikely to give up easily.