The Justice Department’s antitrust case against Google, which it accuses of creating a monopoly in the internet search market, began this week. It’s considered the most significant tech case in years, as it could force the tech giant to sell its Chrome browser—potentially shifting the balance of power in Silicon Valley.
During opening statements, the DOJ called for Google to divest from its browser and open up its search data to competitors. In response, Google published a blog post arguing that such actions would not serve the US’s best interests, especially amid the escalating global competition in artificial intelligence. The company pointed to China’s DeepSeek as one of its main AI rivals.
Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s vice president of regulatory affairs, stated that the DOJ’s proposal would “make it harder to develop artificial intelligence.” She also emphasized that it could lead to the creation of a government-appointed committee regulating the design and development of Google’s products. “It would also stifle American innovation at a critical time,” she said, adding that the US is in fierce competition with China for leadership in next-generation technology, and that Google is at the forefront of key scientific and technological breakthroughs.
Broader Antitrust Pressure Across Tech
This case is part of a broader antitrust push by US authorities. Google, like many major tech firms, has faced mounting scrutiny. Earlier this month, the company lost another lawsuit in which it was found to hold monopoly power in parts of the online advertising market.
Other tech giants are also under pressure. Apple, Meta Platforms, and Amazon have each faced accusations of maintaining monopoly power in various domains. The Federal Trade Commission has charged Meta with monopolizing the social media market and questioned the legality of its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. Uber, too, is under fire, with the FTC accusing it of deceptive billing practices and subscription cancellations.
In Google’s case, the company was formally recognized as a monopoly in the online search industry in August last year, reminds NIX Solutions. Now, the court is reviewing proposed measures to address this status. Hearings will last for three weeks, with a final ruling expected by the end of summer. If the ruling goes against Google, the company will still have the option to appeal.
In court, Google argues that Chrome enables broad internet access and that its source code benefits other developers. The company maintains that opening search data to rivals would “not only create risks to cybersecurity and even national security, but also increase the cost of services for consumers.” Google’s key challenge remains: demonstrating its role as a driver of American innovation without appearing to block competition.
This case may reshape the landscape of tech regulation for years to come—yet we’ll keep you updated as more developments emerge.