The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday dropped a proposal that would have forced Google (Alphabet Inc.) to sell its AI investments, including its stake in OpenAI competitor Anthropic. However, the DOJ is still seeking a court order requiring Google to divest its Chrome browser and take other steps to address its search monopoly.
Key Developments:
- The DOJ no longer seeks to block Google’s AI investments, citing concerns about unintended consequences in the evolving AI sector.
- Prosecutors still want Google to provide prior notice to the U.S. government before making future AI investments.
- Google plans to appeal and argues that the DOJ’s approach would harm U.S. economic and technological leadership.
- A trial on proposed remedies is scheduled for April, with Judge Amit Mehta overseeing the case.
Why It Matters:
- If Chrome is separated from Google, it could weaken Google’s dominance in online search and impact its advertising revenue.
- Big Tech under scrutiny: The case is part of broader antitrust actions against Apple, Meta, and Amazon, as Trump continues his crackdown on monopolistic practices.
- Bipartisan Support: Democratic and Republican attorneys general, along with the Alphabet Workers Union, support proposed restrictions on Google’s market power.
Next Steps:
- The DOJ will refine its legal strategy ahead
