Google Asked to Sell Adrina Chrome?

The Justice Department is reportedly eyeing Google’s Chrome browser for divestiture in its ongoing antitrust crusade. After a judge ruled this summer that Google’s search engine practices amount to an illegal monopoly, regulators have been brainstorming ways to dismantle the tech giant’s dominance. Among the most drastic suggestions? Google could be forced to sell Chrome or even its Android OS. Less extreme but still significant options include ending its lucrative deal with Apple that makes Google the default search engine in Safari or allowing rivals access to its search data.

Countdown to the shakeup: The DOJ plans to finalize its approach by August, with a decision on tactics expected as early as April.

No place like Chrome… Chrome isn’t just the world’s most popular browser—it’s also a cornerstone of Google’s ad empire, holding ~60% of the U.S. browser market. Its integration with Google accounts allows for highly targeted search ads, driving billions in revenue. Meanwhile, Google’s Safari deal has been a cash cow for both parties, netting Google $50B+ annually and funneling 36% of Safari ad revenue straight to Apple. If regulators axe the deal, both tech behemoths could feel the pinch.

The takeaway:
With FTC Chair Lina Khan’s tenure ending as the political tides shift, Big Tech’s regulatory landscape could soon look very different. Current DOJ maneuvers, like the potential Chrome sell-off, may be more about leveraging negotiations than immediate action. But in the dystopian corridors of Megacity, where corporate empires tower above all, even small tremors can reshape the grid.

#google #machinestates #monopoly