Google, DOJ to Make Final Push in US Search Antitrust Case

AI companies could get a boost after already rattling Google's status as the go-to tool to find information online.

By Reuters | Updated: 30 May 2025 19:26 IST

Google, DOJ to Make Final Push in US Search Antitrust Case

Photo Credit: Reuters

OpenAI would also benefit from access to Google's search data

Highlights

DoJ seeks search data from Google Chrome
Google says the proposals go far beyond what is legally justified
The company has already begun loosening agreements with smartphone makers

Alphabet's Google and US antitrust enforcers will make their final arguments on whether the tech giant should be forced to sell its Chrome browser or adopt other measures to restore competition in online search, as the blockbuster antitrust trial concludes on Friday.

The US Department of Justice and a coalition of states are pressing to make Google not only sell Chrome, but also share search data and cease multibillion-dollar payments to Apple and other smartphone makers and wireless carriers that set Google as the default search engine on new devices.

The proposals aim to restore competition after a judge found last year that Google illegally dominates the online search and related advertising markets. Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies could get a boost after already rattling Google's status as the go-to tool to find information online.

Google Said to Face DOJ Probe Over Character.AI Deal

US District Judge Amit Mehta is overseeing the trial, which began in April. He has said he aims to rule on the proposals by August.

If the judge does require Google to sell off Chrome, OpenAI would be interested in buying it, Nick Turley, OpenAI's product head for ChatGPT, said at the trial.

OpenAI would also benefit from access to Google's search data, which would help it make responses to user inquiries more accurate and up to date, Turley said.

Google Facing at Least EUR 12 Billion in Civil Claims Across Europe

Google says the proposals go far beyond what is legally justified by the court's ruling, and would give away its technology to competitors. The company has already begun loosening agreements with smartphone makers including Samsung Electronics to allow them to load rival search and AI products.

The DOJ wants the judge to go farther, banning Google from making lucrative payments in exchange for installation of its search app.

© Thomson Reuters 2025

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.