U.S. Antitrust Push Could Reshape Google's Grip on Online Search

The U.S. Department of Justice may request a court-mandated divestiture of certain Google business units to address alleged monopoly practices in online search. The case, pivotal in redefining internet search dynamics, is influenced by Judge Mehta’s recent ruling supporting antitrust enforcers.

The U.S. Justice Department is weighing the option of compelling Google to divest parts of its business to dismantle what has been labeled an illegal monopoly in the online search industry. This landmark antitrust case is considered crucial in possibly altering how Americans access online information, as Google dominates 90% of the U.S. search engine market.

With a detailed proposal expected for submission by Nov. 20, the department seeks to address the competitive imbalance. Google's opportunity to offer its own remedies comes later, with a Dec. 20 deadline set by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta. This ruling is seen as a substantial victory for antitrust advocates, who've launched numerous actions against Big Tech.

Google, defending its search service quality, plans to appeal and insists on facing significant competition from platforms like Amazon. Critics and rivals, including Yelp and DuckDuckGo, suggest drastic measures, such as spinning off Google's Chrome browser or mandating licensing search results to foster a competitive landscape.

(With inputs from agencies.)