The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly planning to force Google to sell its popular web browser, Chrome. If approved by a federal judge, the sale could bring in as much as $20 billion—a massive move that would shake up one of the world’s biggest tech companies, Alphabet Inc., which owns Google.
This decision comes after U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled in August that Google used illegal tactics to dominate the search engine market. According to reports, Alphabet spent $26 billion in 2021 alone to make Chrome the default browser on many smartphones and devices, leaving little room for competitors to succeed.
Why This Matters
Chrome isn’t just any browser—it’s the most used one in the U.S., holding a whopping 61% of the market, according to StatCounter. It’s also a key tool in Google’s advertising and artificial intelligence (AI) businesses. Google Search, which is tightly linked to Chrome, controls 88% of the U.S. search engine market.
If Chrome is sold, it could significantly impact Google’s ad revenue and its plans for AI tools like Gemini, which is designed to be a personal assistant powered by advanced technology. While Chrome itself doesn’t directly make money, it’s a gateway to Google’s other profitable services, making its sale a big deal for the company.
What Led to This?
Judge Mehta’s ruling argued that Google’s deals to make Chrome the default browser gave it an unfair advantage and blocked rivals from competing. In his words, “Google’s dominance has gone unchallenged for well over a decade.”
The DOJ and several states, including California, Texas, and Florida, have joined forces to push for stricter rules on Google. They’re asking for measures that would ensure fair competition, including data-sharing requirements for Google’s AI and Android systems.
What’s Next?
The case is now in the hands of Judge Mehta, with the next court hearing scheduled for November 26. If the sale goes through, Chrome could be valued between $15 and $20 billion, thanks to its massive user base of over 3 billion monthly active users.
Google’s Response
Google isn’t happy about the DOJ’s actions. Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s VP of regulatory affairs, called the DOJ’s approach “radical” and said it could harm consumers and developers. She added, “This isn’t just about legal issues—it’s about protecting American innovation when we need it the most.”
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t the first time Google has faced antitrust battles. Back in 2020, during Donald Trump’s presidency, the DOJ accused Google of using unfair tactics to monopolize search engines. Now, the stakes are even higher, as Chrome’s future hangs in the balance.
If the sale is approved, it could change how we use the internet—and reshape the competition in the tech world.
