The U.S. Ministry of Justice is urging in the antitrust process against Google for profound cuts for the technology group. A federal judge had already judged last year that Google maintains an illegal monopoly in the online search and the associated advertising. For this purpose, the "remedy phase" of the procedure has now started, which should clarify which consequences from this statement are followed.
The core demands of the antitrust guard: Google should sell its chrome browser. The reason is obvious-Chrome is a central access point for Google search and an important element within the company's monopoly position.
- With a global market share of over 60 percent, Chrome is by far the most used web browser.
- According to the antitrust authority, Google uses this position to set its own search engine as a standard and thereby directs billions of search queries and advertising collar to its core business.
In this situation, Openai, the developer behind the popular chatbot chatt, has now expressed his interest in a possible takeover of Chrome. The Chatgpt product chief, Nick Turley, made this surprising statement (viaReuters) Last Tuesday in Washington during the ongoing antitrust process.
Turley also revealed that Openai had already tried to enter into a partnership in Chatgpt with Google in July 2023.
After problems with a previous search partner -BloombergSpeculating that this could be Microsoft - opened Openai to Google. The technology giant rejected the request in August on the grounds that "too many competitors were involved".
Openai not the only prospect
In addition to Openaai, the Ki Startup Perplexity is also interested in the purchase of Chrome (viaThe Verge) signaled.
Dmitry Shevelenko, Chief Business Officer from Perplexity, said in court that his company would be able to operate a browser of Chrome.
- Shevelenko also used his statement to put up with complaints against Google. He described a "jungle" of Android settings through which users have to navigate in order to set perplexity as a standard AI assistant.
- If perplexity is set on an Android phone as a standard, it still does not have the same status as the Google assistant.
Perplexity was only founded about three years ago and, despite his young age, has great ambitions. The company develops a AI-based search engine and plans to bring it to Samsung and Motorola smartphones. Interestingly, hasPerplexity recently also expressed interest in buying Tiktokthat is faced with a possible ban in the USA.
What's next?
The remedy phase of the cartel procedure against Google has only started. The US Ministry of Justice has submitted its claims and Google will proceed. A final decision by the court is expected for August 2025.
Google itself has not yet offered Chrome for sale and wants to appeal against the judgment. The company describes the procedure of the US government as "radical agenda" and argues that a split off Chrome would severely restrict the functionality of the browser.
