In a potentially groundbreaking move, Alphabet Inc.’s Chrome browser could be valued at up to $20 billion if a U.S. federal judge approves a proposal from the Justice Department to sell the business. This proposal follows an August ruling in which the judge found that Google had illegally monopolized the online search market. The government’s latest push includes significant new requirements regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and its Android operating system.
The Justice Department, alongside states participating in the case, plans to request that U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta impose a series of remedies aimed at curbing Google’s dominance in the tech space. Among these is the forced sale of Google Chrome, which boasts over 3 billion active users worldwide. Chrome is considered a key gateway to Google’s lucrative advertising business, enabling the company to gather user data and deliver targeted promotions.
If the judge accepts the proposals, this historic case could reshape both the search engine and AI industries. This legal battle, which began during the Trump administration, has continued into the Biden administration, and marks the most significant attempt to rein in a tech giant since the failed Microsoft breakup case nearly 20 years ago.
Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Mandeep Singh estimates that Chrome could be worth between $15 billion and $20 billion, based on its extensive user base. However, experts caution that Chrome’s value as a standalone product is complex, as it primarily serves as a platform for other Google services. TECHnalysis Research’s Bob O’Donnell notes that Chrome’s true value lies in its integration with Google’s broader ecosystem rather than its direct monetization.
Google has pushed back strongly against the Justice Department’s intervention. In a statement, Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s vice president of regulatory affairs, argued that the government’s actions would harm consumers, developers, and American technological leadership. “This radical agenda goes far beyond the legal issues in this case,” Mulholland said.
The potential sale of Chrome is just one component of the Justice Department’s broader antitrust agenda. Along with the proposed sale, government officials are advocating for requirements that would limit Google’s control over its search engine results and AI products. These include licensing data for use by rival search engines and AI companies, which could help level the playing field for emerging players in these markets.
The case also explores the potential separation of Google’s Android operating system from its search engine and the Google Play Store, a bundle that has been criticized for maintaining Google’s grip on the smartphone market.
As Google prepares for a long legal battle, potential buyers of Chrome may face scrutiny from regulators concerned about the consolidation of power within the tech industry. While companies like Amazon or Microsoft could be interested in acquiring Chrome, such a deal would likely face significant antitrust review.
Some observers suggest that a company like OpenAI, the maker of the popular ChatGPT, could be a more viable buyer. OpenAI could benefit from Chrome’s vast distribution network and its advertising capabilities, which would complement its growing consumer-facing AI services.
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