Google has just responded to the DOJ’s “radical interventionist agenda” following the government’s latest request. The DOJ actually submitted an updated filing in which it asked Judge Mehta to force Google to sell Chrome.
This comes as a result of Google’s defeat in the recent search monopoly trial. The final stretch of the trial will take place in April next year. After it, Judge Mehta will decide what moves to take in order to bring back the balance.
Well, Google is far from pleased by the DOJ’s latest request. Before we get down to Google’s response, do note that the DOJ will submit yet another version of its proposals in March next year, right before the final court stretch.
Google has decided to criticize the DOJ’s proposal calling it a ‘radical interventionist agenda’
Google responded via a blog post, which was issued by the company’s President of Global Affairs, Kent Walker. He has criticized the DOJ’s latest proposal, as he said that it has an overreaching plan that jeopardizes consumer privacy, innovation, and America’s technological leadership.
“As just one example, DOJ’s proposal would literally require us to install not one but two separate choice screens before you could access Google Search on a Pixel phone you bought”, said Walker.
Kent Walker called the DOJ’s push a “radical interventionist agenda”. Do note that the DOJ is not only proposing the sale of Chrome but also that Google doesn’t make exclusive deals as the one it did with Apple to keep Google search as the default search engine on Apple’s products.
The DOJ also left the door open for the sale of Android
The DOJ also left the door open for the sale of Android, though it did not specifically request that move. Its proposal was focused on the divestment of Chrome, first and foremost.
In April next year, the DOJ and Google will meet in court once again. This time around they’ll participate in a two-week remedies trial. Following that, Google will be ordered to make certain steps to break the monopoly. The DOJ did recently say that Google breakup is a possibility, prior to this proposal.
