DOJ Targets Google's Search Monopoly: Breaking the Tech Giant’s Grip on the Internet

Google may be forced to break up parts of its business to foster competition in the search and AI markets, marking a pivotal moment in the fight to regulate Big Tech.

In a landmark move, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is considering drastic actions to address Google’s dominance in internet search. This comes after a federal judge ruled in August 2024 that the company has maintained an illegal monopoly over search and digital ads. The DOJ's proposed remedies, which include breaking up parts of Google's vast business empire, aim to reduce the company's stranglehold on how information is accessed online.

A Monopoly Over Search

Google currently processes over 90% of global search queries, allowing it to dominate the search market and the ad space connected to those searches.

According to the DOJ’s filing, the company achieved this dominance through anti-competitive tactics, including exclusive contracts that make Google Search the default option on most web browsers and smartphones. These agreements helped maintain Google's dominance while blocking out competitors.

The DOJ is concerned that Google's control over search not only limits competition but also stifles innovation. As a remedy, the government is weighing structural solutions , such as the divestiture of Google’s Chrome browser and its Android mobile operating system.

The DOJ believes these divestitures would help level the playing field, allowing other search engines and browsers to compete more fairly.

Google’s Response: “Radical and Sweeping”

Google has strongly criticized the DOJ's proposals. The company’s vice president of regulatory affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, warned that the suggested measures are “radical and sweeping” and could result in significant unintended consequences for consumers and businesses.

For instance, Google argues that forcing it to break up its business units could lead to increased security risks and damage to the open-source nature of platforms like Chrome and Android.

Moreover, Google contends that splitting these products from its main operations could disrupt the ecosystem of apps and devices that rely on them. Google also pointed out that the DOJ's restrictions on its AI development could hurt America’s global technological leadership in an emerging field.

AI and the Future of Competition

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been identified as a key area where the DOJ is concerned about Google’s potential to monopolize the future of search . The DOJ wants to ensure that Google does not use its control over AI data to suppress competitors . One suggestion is that Google should be prevented from using content from other websites to train its AI models without permission. This would allow smaller competitors to enter the AI space with less interference from Google.

In response, Google argued that such measures would harm innovation and create an environment where copycats could easily emerge. The company also highlighted that its search data is protected by strict security standards, and sharing it with competitors could pose significant privacy and security risks.

What’s Next?

The DOJ is expected to refine its framework for dealing with Google’s monopoly by November, and Google will have the opportunity to present its own remedies in December.

While these potential actions have shaken Alphabet's stock prices slightly, many industry experts believe that the true impact of the DOJ’s proposals won't be felt until 2025 or beyond.

Regardless of the outcome, this case signals a turning point in how the U.S. government approaches Big Tech. By targeting Google’s search monopoly, the DOJ is setting the stage for broader regulatory scrutiny of the tech industry, particularly as AI becomes a major battleground for future technological dominance.

Final Thoughts

The DOJ’s proposals to break up Google reflect a growing movement to rein in the power of Big Tech. Whether these remedies will ultimately improve competition or, as Google argues, hurt consumers and innovation, remains to be seen. What’s certain is that the future of internet search, and possibly the broader tech industry, hangs in the balance as regulators and the courts decide how to address Google’s market dominance.

This case could redefine how monopolies are addressed in the digital age, setting precedents for other tech giants like Amazon, Apple, and Meta. For now, Google’s future remains uncertain as the company navigates this antitrust battle.