In order to revert Google’s monopoly, USA justice proposes to divide the company into individual ones. In August a sentence indicated that Google is a monopoly that applies anticompetitive policies. In order to restore competitiveness the Department of Justice recommends to divide Google into different companies.
It’s not the first time Justice wants to divide Google. And it probably won’t be the last either. Chrome, Android and the web browser should become separate entities and that would change the technological field forever.
Divide Google to create different companies with specific goals
USA’s Department of Justice presented a proposal to make Google sell shares of the business. It would represent the first technological division in 40 years. The division is part of the solution framework that judge Amit Mehta indicates to revert the monopolic policies of Google.
Areas of Google to divide in order to fix monopoly claims
- Search. Restriction or elimination of default search arrangements, pre-installation and revenue sharing arrangements to avoid Google control over search technology. Increase education programs to encourage choosing web browsers with knowledge about its functions.
- Data access and use. Search data index, algorithm and AI models from Google should be available for exchange. It’ also important to guarantee transparency in Google results as well as features and signaling of advertisement.
- Search monopoly extension. The judge recommends to limit contracts from Google to undermine rivals in Web content. There should also be an option for web sites editor to choose or reject Google AI indexation and showing up on AI summaries.
- Advertising practices. Reduce or restructure products’ advertisement on Google. This also includes AI powered tools and Google ads feed.
Divide Google, a solution to end monopoly practices
The search field is the most important one for Google in the short term. It includes the separation of Chrome, Play and Andriod into three independent and different companies. That would have strong repercussions in the technology industry all around the globe.
Google spokesperson indicates that “these solutions may damage consumers, enterprises and developers alike”. Google’s official blog has a post with arguments against the idea of dividing the company. They are easily distributed for easy reading.
Separating Chrome from Android
This will directly destroy both products. Any other company wouldn’t invest as much as Google does to keep it open source. It would also affect other industries as thousands of devices use Android and Chrome.
Obligation to share search data
On this aspect, Google indicates that there will be security and privacy issues if they have to share search data freely.
Hindrance for Google AI tools
USA innovation on Artificial Intelligence field would be reduced if Google AI platforms are restricted.
Google advertisement changes
The idea to divide Google into different companies and change advertising policies would make ads less valuable. It can also make them less useful for consumers and create problems in the digital market.
Search engine promotion restrictions
The restrictions proposed by the Department of Justice will reduce the income for Android developers and Mozila, just to name a few. Smartphone will become more expensive.
The decision is still not definitive. Google still has to make an offer and next year there could be a definition. The forced division is still a possibility.