Filings: the US DOJ drops a bid to force Google to sell its AI investments to boost search competition but still seeks a court order requiring it to sell Chrome
The Chrome remedy has been a durable part of the DOJ’s Google case: the agency’s earlier proposal sought a [[a:879526|Chrome divestiture alongside limits on Android search favoritism and default-search arrangements]]. This filing narrows the requested remedy package by removing the AI-investment sale component while retaining the browser-focused demand.
That distinction matters because the government is separating a challenge to Google’s search-distribution position from a proposed intervention in its AI holdings. Related coverage had already questioned whether a forced Chrome sale would be the most consequential remedy for Google’s power.
First-order effects
Google no longer faces the DOJ’s proposed requirement to sell AI investments in this remedy request, reducing the immediate scope of the search-case remedy fight.
Chrome remains central to the case: the DOJ is still asking the court to order its sale, leaving Google to defend control of a major browser and search-distribution channel.
Second-order effects
The narrower request concentrates the litigation over remedies on distribution and defaults, particularly the role Chrome and Android play in directing users to Google Search.
A Chrome divestiture request, if granted, would force practical questions about the browser’s ownership, product integration, and relationship to Google Search rather than requiring a sale of Google’s AI investments.
Third-order effects
The filing points to a remedy strategy focused on disentangling control of user-access points from search, instead of broadly unwinding Google’s AI investment relationships.
If courts accept browser-level structural remedies, antitrust enforcement could increasingly test whether control of distribution surfaces—not only ownership of underlying services—should be separated to restore competition.
The trend: US tech antitrust remedies are increasingly targeting the distribution layers that steer user choice, while becoming more selective about interventions in AI-related assets.
DOJ: “Google must divest the Chrome browser—an important search access point—to provide an opportunity for a new rival to operate a significant gateway to search the internet, free of Google's monopoly control.”
NEW: DOJ's final remedy proposal for Google is in. Keeping bid for Chrome divestiture and search default agreement ban, but dropping requests to block Google's investments in AI companies
kids are wearing jncos, elon is tweeting DOGE memes, Digg is relaunching and now comes the return of the browser wars we are back in Web 2.0 — somebody call myspace tom
The Trump 45 Justice Department brought this crucial antitrust lawsuit against Google for its illegal search monopoly. Now the Trump 47 Justice Department, under acting antitrust chief Omeed Assefi, just issued the final blow against Google. https://storage.courtlistener.com/ ...…
Bam. Tip of hat to DOJ for not waiting until midnight to post its final proposed remedies for US v Google I. Plus, DOJ posted an exec summary and redline version. Bravo. All as expected including Chrome divestiture and future proofing for AI. Here is what publishers came for: [im…
Also, weirdly, DOJ *deleted* its request for attorneys' fees. ("costs" do not encompass fees). This is super weird and seems bad in light of DOGE budget cuts - why *wouldn't* you seek money from a monopolistic wrongdoer to keep antitrust enforcement going strong? [image]
Instead, the Trump Admin is asking the court to require Google to alert them to future AI investments. The DOJ and states are still concerned about “Google's potential to use its sizable capital to exercise influence in AI companies”
“To the extent there were concerns about continuity in the prosecution of this case, we're proud to see ongoing bipartisan commitment to robust antitrust enforcement.” On final search cases remedies, @LeeHepner says “the antitrust agenda against Big Tech is here to stay.”👇 [image…
DOJ (overall) stays STRONG on seeking remedies for Google's illegal tactics to maintain search monopoly in final proposal before remedies hearing in late April ✅ restricts corporate bribery that prevents competition ✅ divests Chrome browser More thoughts & caveats in 🧵 [image]
As you read DOJ is doubling down on breaking up Google, don't forget Google Search can barely hold 90% of market now and ChatGPT is *estimated* to approach 1%. Absurd things when you stop and think. [video]