The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is still pushing for Google to sell its web browser, Chrome, according to a recent court filing. Initially proposed under President Joe Biden’s administration last year, the DOJ is maintaining this stance under the second Trump administration. However, the department no longer demands that Google divest its artificial intelligence (AI) investments, including billions spent on Anthropic.
The DOJ has argued that Google’s actions have created a powerful monopoly that disrupts the marketplace, ensuring that Google always prevails. This claim was outlined in a filing signed by Omeed Assefi, the current acting attorney general for antitrust, while Trump’s nominee to lead the DOJ’s antitrust division is still awaiting confirmation.
Despite the shift in focus on AI, the DOJ has not altered its core proposal, which still includes requiring Google to sell Chrome and banning payments to distribution partners related to search. On AI, the DOJ now seeks only advance notice of future investments rather than mandating the divestiture of Google’s AI holdings. Furthermore, instead of forcing the divestment of Android, the DOJ has left the decision to the court, depending on the competitive landscape in the future.
These proposals follow antitrust lawsuits filed by the DOJ and 38 state attorneys general, which led Judge Amit P. Mehta to rule that Google had acted illegally to maintain a monopoly in online search. While Google plans to appeal the decision, it has proposed an alternative plan that it believes would address the concerns raised by Judge Mehta by giving more flexibility to its partners.
A Google spokesperson told Reuters that the DOJ’s proposals go beyond what the court had ruled and would negatively impact consumers, the economy, and national security. Judge Mehta is scheduled to hear arguments from both Google and the DOJ in April.
