Google has been in and out of courtrooms before, but its current battle, over its most valuable asset, Google Chrome, may have monumental implications.
A high-profile antitrust lawsuit has placed the company under the microscope, challenging its dominance of web search and the future of its beloved browser. How will Google handle this legal battle?
The Antitrust Case That Could Shatter Google's Hold on Chrome
In August 2024, Google was in the sights of the US Supreme Court for alleged anticompetitive conduct. The case concerns Google's supposedly illegal deals with technology giants such as Apple and Android to ensure that Google Search is the default on their devices.
The deal has cost Google billions of dollars, with a reported $20 billion payment to Apple in 2022 alone. The effects of these monopolistic activities could result in drastic alterations for Google, particularly regarding its signature browser, Chrome.
Read more: OpenAI Drops 'Lite' Deep Research for Everyone : Free Users Get a Taste, But There's a Catch
The Court's Ruling: Will Google Be Broken Up?
According to Android Police, the case has reached a point where US District Judge Amir P. Mehta has indicated that Google's actions may make the company a monopolist. In his judgment, he intimated that Google could be required to dispose of some of its business to break up its monopoly.
One of the most disputed proposals is that Google could be required to cap its deals with firms such as Apple and potentially sell Chrome. This would not only impact Google's share of the market but also who would be the ideal owner of the browser used by billions of people globally.
Who Wants to Buy Google Chrome?
There are also other companies, such as OpenAI, Perplexity, and Yahoo, that have shown interest in buying Google Chrome. Being the owner of the world's most used browser would be a massive boost for any company that wishes to increase its online presence. But Google will not relinquish its browser so easily.
The firm's strategy to respond to this legal challenge is to create a persuasive case regarding why Chrome will be in users' best interest if it is left with Google.
Google's Defense: Chrome is Better Off in Google's Hands
In Bloomberg's report, Google's Chrome general manager, Parisa Tabriz, has also defended the company by stating that unbundling Chrome from its infrastructure would be catastrophic.
During a testimony to the DOJ's antitrust inquiry, Tabriz highlighted the fact that Chrome is dependent on Google's backend services, such as Safe Browsing and password breach detection. These functionalities, Tabriz says, would be unreplicable if Chrome were to be sold off to a different company.
She asserts that the integration between Chrome and Google's other offerings is so profound that it would damage the browser's performance and security if they were to be separated.
The Debate: Can Google's Argument Hold Up?
As much as Google's justification sounds plausible, not everyone is convinced. Some experts, including a Harvard University computer science professor, are of the view that Chrome would still be able to operate effectively under new ownership with the appropriate infrastructure in place. But as with any legal battle of this size, the ultimate ruling will take time.
In the meantime, it is unclear whether Chrome's future is in Google's control or if the company will be forced to bid adieu to its favorite browser.
ⓒ 2025 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
