The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is making a bold move, asking a federal judge to require Google to separate its widely used Chrome web browser from the rest of its business. Their concern? That the growing integration of artificial intelligence could strengthen Google’s grip on online search even further.
This request came up during a hearing before District Judge Amit Mehta, as the DOJ searches for ways to curb Google’s dominance after last year’s ruling found the company’s search practices monopolistic.
Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater didn’t mince words: “Nothing less than the future of the internet is at stake here.” The DOJ worries that without action, Google’s influence could stretch beyond search into emerging technologies like AI.
Google, which is investing heavily in AI development, pushes back hard against the DOJ’s proposal. They argue that spinning off Chrome—and possibly Android—would disrupt innovation and go beyond the original court ruling. Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs, called the DOJ’s plan “radical” and warned it could harm US leadership in tech.
This legal battle dates back to a 2020 antitrust case, with Judge Mehta ruling against Google in 2024. Tensions have risen further after another judge recently found Google monopolistic in the online advertising technology sector, sparking fresh calls for structural changes.
Supported by several US states, the antitrust suit accuses Google of illegal control over digital advertising markets. District Court Judge Leonie Brinkema confirmed Google’s monopoly in publisher ad servers and exchanges, though she dismissed some claims related to advertiser tools.
These court setbacks risk breaking up Google’s vast empire. The company is appealing both rulings, relying on its deep pockets funded by advertising revenue to back AI projects and free services like Maps and Gmail. That highlights just how much is at stake in these ongoing legal fights.
If you’ve ever wrestled with the influence of big tech on your online experience, these developments are worth watching closely. They could reshape how we interact with the internet and the AI tools that are becoming part of everyday life.
