Trump DOJ Upholds Google Must Divest Chrome to Resolve Search Monopoly Case

Donald Trump’s Department of Justice isn’t backing down from its push to break up Google.

Despite the tech giant’s efforts last week to persuade officials to drop the idea, the DOJ on Friday still called for Google to divest its popular Chrome browser—and potentially Android—as part of its ongoing search antitrust case.

Splitting Google from Chrome would have far-reaching implications in the industry. Chrome’s exclusive data pipeline has long fueled Google’s dominance and losing that edge could weaken its grip—not just on search ads, but on its future of generative AI.

The DOJ is also continuing to suggest that halting Google’s $20 billion deal with Apple, which made Chrome the default browser on iPhones.

The DOJ’s bid to divest Google highlights the administration’s efforts to confront breaking antitrust rules in Silicon Valley.

While those major proposals remain, the DOJ has also made a number of tweaks. This includes the ability for publishers, websites, and content creators to opt out of having their content crawled for search indexing, training AI models, or being repurposed as AI-generated content

Where the DOJ’s proposals have relaxed

Under the proposed remedies, Google can retain its existing investments in AI startups like Anthropic. Under the initial proposal, Google would have been required to divest its holdings in companies like Anthropic.

The DOJ also wants Google to overhaul its Android business to restore competition or face selling the operating system. Previously, it had suggested Google could sell Android instead of making the necessary changes.

Where the DOJ’s proposals have tightened

The DOJ is doubling down on restrictions aimed at curbing Google’s dominance, imposing tighter oversight on its acquisitions and investments in the search text ads market. Google will be required to notify antitrust regulators before making any new investments in its rivals.

While Google can retain its existing investments in Anthropic, it will need to notify antitrust regulators before making any further investments in AI companies.

On the ad side, regulators have shifted focus. Instead of forcing Google to price syndicated search ads at marginal cost or limiting how much rivals can rely on its ad services, the DOJ is prioritizing fairness, transparency, and control for competitors.

As part of that, Google will be required to give advertisers readily-accessible granular placement and performance reporting of ads purchased through Google Analytics and Ads Data Hub.

“I look forward to seeing what this might look like, in particular as it relates to Performance Max,” Arielle Garcia, chief operating officer, Check My Ads, told ADWEEK. “While it is too early to tell how this will unfold, the fact that divestiture is still part of the remedies package [under Trump DOJ], is a positive early sign of sustained momentum behind strong antitrust enforcement against big tech’s abuse of dominance.”

Google has not responded to comments by press time.

“At a time when U.S. digital services are in a fierce global competition for technology leadership, structural remedies that weaken US companies are not wise and risk handing an economic advantage to adversaries abroad,” Matthew Schruers, president and ceo, Computer and Communications Industry Association, said in a statement.

The court will hold a status conference on March 10 to review the progress of the case and address any pending motions.