Google search monopoly US case remedies to come by December
The U.S. Department of Justice is set to release an outline by December outlining the steps Alphabet's Google must take to address concerns about its monopoly in the online search market. This follows a judge's ruling that found Google had unlawfully monopolized the market.
Justice Department's Plans
During a court hearing in Washington, prosecutors indicated that the proposed remedy should be comprehensive and consider how Google intends to incorporate artificial intelligence into its search capabilities. The Justice Department attorney, David Dahlquist, highlighted the importance of understanding Google's future plans, including the rebranding of its AI product from Bard to Gemini.
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While the specifics of the remedy were not disclosed, potential measures could involve divesting certain business units, such as the Android mobile operating system, or ceasing substantial payments to ensure Google's search engine remains the default option on devices and browsers.
Google's Response
Google's attorney, John Schmidtlein, emphasized the need for a clear proposal from prosecutors. He mentioned the company's intention to gather insights from Microsoft and OpenAI to formulate a response, particularly concerning AI integration in search technology.
It is worth noting that Google has expressed its intent to challenge the judge's decision, underscoring the significance of the upcoming legal proceedings. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta is considering holding a hearing in the spring with the aim of issuing a ruling by August next year.
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As the case unfolds, stakeholders await the upcoming developments that could shape the future of competition in the online search industry.