The US Department of Justice would consider forcing Google to divest its Chrome browser and some of its advertising activities. Justice USA is investigating Google for possible competition violations.
US prosecutors reportedly, as part of the antitrust investigation into Google, inquired with competitors and other relevant parties about what parts Google should divest to end the antitrust violations. In addition, the Chrome browser would have come into the crosshairs of some members of the Public Prosecution Service, three sources from Politico report. Rather than shutting it down completely, Google could also be forced to obtain less data with its browser, which it uses for advertising and to improve its services.
According to the website, the legal battle over Google’s alleged abuse of market power in the US is set to start in the coming weeks. The Public Prosecution has not yet taken a decision about the steps to be taken, but has questioned experts on advertising technology, competitors and publishers during the investigation.
Politico points to an investigation by a government committee last week that said Google has such a large market share with Chrome that the company is essentially setting the standards for the industry. That would be particularly relevant given Google’s aim to ban cookies from Chrome within two years. Instead, Google suggested alternatives such as Pigin, for fingerprinting users based on, for example, characteristics of its system, and Turtledove, where the ad auction is basically taking place on the user’s system. Google claims to work with the advertising industry on alternatives to cookies.