The year 2024 marked a decisive turning point in the regulation of technology giants, with a series of antitrust cases that shook the digital sector. Among them, the lawsuit between Google and the American Department of Justice (DoJ) particularly stands out: the Mountain View firm could be forced to part ways with Google Chrome, its emblematic Internet browser.
What accusations have been made against Google?
We have to go back to 2020 to understand the reasons behind this affair. Then under the aegis of the Trump administration, the Department of Justice, which manages antitrust supervision with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), filed a complaint against Google. The company is accused of anti-competitive practices and unfair monopoly in the field of search engines, over which it reigns supreme.
By also having control over the online advertising market, Google sets prices that are too high for advertising services, while stifling innovation and competition, the plaintiffs believe.
During their investigation, they came across agreements established between Google and manufacturers like Apple or Samsung. The company asks them to establish Chrome and Search as default applications in exchange for financial incentives, sometimes equivalent to several billion dollars.
The company justifies itself as best it can, ensuring that it fights with its weapons in an ultra-competitive ecosystem. It explains its monopoly by the quality of its products. An argument that does not convince. In August, Google was found guilty of abuse of dominant position.
Why is Chrome specifically targeted?
The Department of Justice is hitting hard. In its indictment, the court demands the forced sale of Google Chrome. Holding 64% market share in the global browser industry, the platform considerably strengthens Google’s monopoly, argued the DoJ. The fact that Google Search is offered by default within Chrome is a strong argument to justify this decision, because it directly excludes competing search engines.
Fixes for the Android operating system have also been proposed. The goal is to prevent Google from favoring Search within its other products. If these arrangements fail, the DoJ is also considering the sale of the mobile OS. Just that.
What is the value of Google Chrome?
Google Chrome is estimated to be worth between $15 billion and $20 billion. This valuation is partly based on its enormous user base: the browser has more than 3 billion monthly active users.
What impact would this sale have on Google?
If Google sold Chrome, the company would lose access to a colossal windfall of user data. However, it is this data that currently powers its advertising ecosystem. Enough to reduce its market share in the online advertising sector, and prevent it from carrying out perfectly targeted campaigns.
The company would probably be pushed to review its economic model, as the interoperability of its services allows it to reach as many users as possible. However, this would not threaten its existence, although a long period of adaptation would most likely be necessary.
Who could buy the browser?
Who says sale, says buyer. But the list of potential buyers of the browser is rather short, because few companies have the necessary liquidity for such an acquisition, estimated at around $29 billion.
The American press has already mentioned a few names. Among them, OpenAI, Oracle, Microsoft, Samsung or Apple. However, this information should be taken with a grain of salt; There is no doubt that if one of these giants wanted to get their hands on Chrome, antitrust regulators would probe the operation very closely.
When will we have the end of this story?
The federal judge in charge of the case plans to hold a hearing in April 2025 to discuss corrective measures to be applied. Its decision will be pronounced in August of the same year.
For its part, Google has already indicated that it will appeal. Due to appeal possibilities and the complexity of implementing such significant changes, any major changes to Google’s structure or operations may not take effect until late 2026 or even early 2027.
Why is this matter important?
If Google were to indeed sell Chrome, it would set a new precedent for antitrust enforcement in the digital age, potentially leading to further regulatory action against the tech giants. The judge’s decision will be closely scrutinized: Apple and Amazon are also in the sights of the American authorities for abuse of dominant position.
The repercussions would also be major for the field of browsers and search engines. The Mountain View firm would no longer be able to combine its two products to maximize, among other things, its advertising offering. Logically, competition would greatly benefit from this.
It is nevertheless important to note that the forced sale is still far from having been pronounced. If other measures should be favored by the American justice system, nothing is yet guaranteed. The future of Chrome is more up in the air than ever.
