New DOJ proposal still calls for Google to divest Chrome, but allows for AI investments

The US Department of Justice is still urging Google to sell its web browser Chrome, as stated in a recent court filing on Friday.

Last year, the DOJ initially suggested that Google should divest Chrome during the Biden administration, and it appears that this recommendation remains unchanged under the current Trump administration. However, the department is no longer pushing for Google to divest all its investments in artificial intelligence, including the significant amount invested in Anthropic.

In a filing signed by Omeed Assefi, the current acting attorney general for antitrust at the DOJ, it was stated, “Google’s illegal actions have created a dominant economic force that disrupts the marketplace to ensure Google’s continued success, regardless of the circumstances.”

The DOJ has retained the key elements of its initial proposal, such as the divestment of Chrome and a ban on search-related payments to distribution partners, citing the need to address Google’s anti-competitive behavior.

Regarding AI investments, the DOJ has shifted its stance from mandatory divestiture to requiring prior notification for future investments. The decision on whether Google should divest Android will be left to the court in the future, depending on market competitiveness.

These recommendations come in the wake of antitrust lawsuits filed by the DOJ and 38 state attorneys general, resulting in Judge Amit P. Mehta ruling that Google engaged in illegal practices to maintain a monopoly in online search. While Google plans to appeal Mehta’s decision, it has proposed an alternative solution to address concerns raised by providing partners with more flexibility.

A spokesperson from Google informed Reuters that the DOJ’s proposals exceed the scope of the court’s decision and could potentially harm consumers, the economy, and national security.

Mehta is scheduled to preside over arguments from both Google and the DOJ in April.