SAN FRANCISCO, Dec 21, 2024 (V7N) – Google proposed late Friday that a US judge address antitrust concerns by prohibiting it from requiring favorable treatment of its software, rather than forcing it to sell its widely-used Chrome browser.

The tech giant's 12-page proposal argued for restrictions that would prevent Google from conditioning licensing agreements for popular apps, like Chrome, Play, or Gemini, on mobile device manufacturers' preferential treatment of its software.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ), however, has pushed for a more drastic solution. Last month, it called for Google to be broken up, including the sale of Chrome, in a significant escalation of its antitrust crackdown. The DOJ also seeks to end deals that make Google the default search engine on smartphones and limit the company’s leverage over the Android mobile operating system.

This follows an August ruling by US District Court Judge Amit Mehta, which determined Google had monopolized the search engine market through its practices.

Google’s filing proposes that the court bar it from leveraging the desirability of its apps to compel manufacturers to pre-install Google Search or make it the default on devices.

The filing includes a clause allowing Google to offer benefits to device makers for distributing or promoting its products, as long as these do not impose restrictions or conditions on competitors.

"Nothing in this Final Judgment shall otherwise prohibit Google from providing consideration to a mobile device manufacturer or wireless carrier with respect to any Google product or service in exchange for such entity's distribution, placement on any access point, promotion, or licensing of that Google product or service," the proposal states.

The DOJ's push to dismantle Google marks a significant shift in regulatory efforts to rein in tech giants, a move not seen since the government’s failed attempt to break up Microsoft two decades ago.

Regardless of the judge’s decision, Google is expected to appeal, potentially extending the case for years and leaving the ultimate outcome to the US Supreme Court.

The case could also be influenced by the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office in January. His administration is expected to replace the DOJ’s antitrust leadership, raising questions about whether the case will proceed, settle, or be abandoned.

The antitrust trial, concluded last year, revealed Google's confidential agreements with smartphone manufacturers, including Apple. These deals, which involved substantial payments, made Google Search the default option on iPhones and other devices, granting it unparalleled access to user data.

This dominance allowed Google to solidify its position as the global leader in search engine technology, a key issue at the heart of the government’s case.

END/BUS/RH