The DOJ is considering enforcing \u201cstructural remedies\u201d against the tech giant\u2019s monopoly<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that it may recommend dismantling Google’s de facto monopoly by separating its search business from its Android operating system, Chrome web browser, and Google Play app store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to a court filing<\/a> on Tuesday, Google may face both \u201cbehavioral and structural remedies\u201d to prevent the company from abusing its ecosystem for unfair competitive advantage. The DOJ argues that the tech giant\u2019s behavior has already caused \u201cinterlocking and pernicious harms\u201d to users and that restoring competition in the search engine market is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201dGoogle\u2019s unlawful behavior has enabled it to accumulate and use data at the expense of rivals,\u201d the DOJ stated. \u201cAs a result, plaintiffs are considering remedies that would prohibit Google from using or retaining data that cannot be effectively shared with others due to privacy concerns,\u201d it added, arguing that \u201cgenuine privacy concerns\u201d must be distinguished from \u201cpretextual arguments\u201d meant to sustain its dominant position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This move follows a federal judge’s ruling in August that Google had violated US antitrust laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGoogle is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly,\u201d Judge Amit Mehta said, noting that the company paid billions of dollars to device manufacturers to secure its position as the default search engine on smartphones and browsers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The DOJ contends that because Google has been found in violation of antitrust regulations, remedies for those offenses should \u201cunfetter markets from Google\u2019s exclusionary conduct, remove barriers to competition, deny Google the fruits of its statutory violations, and prevent Google from monopolizing these markets and related markets in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n