The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has withdrawn its attempt to compel Alphabet’s Google to divest from artificial intelligence (AI) companies, including Anthropic, a major competitor to OpenAI. This decision, disclosed in court filings on Friday, comes as part of an ongoing antitrust case against Google’s dominance in online search.
The case, originally filed by the DOJ and 38 state attorneys general, accuses Google of monopolistic practices in the search engine market. The government had initially sought to limit Google’s influence over the AI sector by forcing it to sell off its stakes in key AI firms. However, the DOJ has now shifted its focus toward addressing Google’s broader control over search and web browsing, particularly through its Chrome browser.
Despite dropping the AI divestment demand, the DOJ and state prosecutors still seek substantial structural changes to Google’s operations. Their latest court filings call for Google to sell its Chrome browser and implement measures to restore competition in the online search market. The move aligns with a prior judicial ruling that found Google guilty of maintaining an illegal monopoly.
Google has long faced regulatory scrutiny over its business practices, with critics arguing that its dominance in search and advertising stifles competition. The company’s investment in AI firms, including Anthropic, has raised concerns about its potential to leverage AI advancements to further entrench its market power.
The DOJ’s decision to drop the AI-related demands may indicate strategic prioritization, focusing on remedies that could have a more immediate impact on market competition. The push for Google to sell Chrome, one of the world’s most widely used web browsers, signals a broader attempt to curb the company’s control over internet access points.
This case is one of several high-profile antitrust actions against major tech firms in the U.S. Regulators have increased efforts to rein in Big Tech’s influence, with separate cases targeting Apple, Amazon, and Meta over alleged anti-competitive practices.
As the legal battle unfolds, Google remains under intense scrutiny, and any court-imposed changes to its operations could significantly reshape the digital landscape.
