The U.S. government is pushing to curb Google’s dominance in the online search market, warning that the rise of artificial intelligence could further entrench the tech giant’s monopoly.
At a federal court hearing on Monday, Department of Justice (DOJ) attorneys urged Judge Amit Mehta to order the separation of Google’s Chrome browser from its core business, following a 2024 ruling that found the company illegally monopolized internet search.
“The future of the internet is on the line,” said Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater in Washington. “Without action, Google could control not just search, but the emerging AI landscape for the next decade.”
Google, heavily investing in AI, is integrating the technology into its products. However, the DOJ argues that Google’s current structure gives it an unfair advantage. The government even floated the possibility of forcing a sale of Android, its mobile operating system.
Kent Walker, Google’s President of Global Affairs, pushed back, calling the proposals extreme. “The DOJ’s overreach threatens America’s technological leadership,” he said in a blog post.
The DOJ’s case, filed in 2020, gained traction when Judge Mehta ruled against Google in August 2024. That legal momentum has continued—just last week, a separate judge ruled that Google monopolized parts of the digital ad market.
Judge Leonie Brinkema found Google illegally dominated ad tech, particularly publisher ad servers and ad exchanges. Her ruling said Google “engaged in anticompetitive acts” to maintain its power, including restrictive customer policies and product limitations.
Advertising revenue funds Google’s free services—like Search, Gmail, and Maps—and supports its AI expansion. A forced breakup could reshape the company and its role in global tech.
Google plans to appeal both rulings.
