Google Says DOJ’s Antitrust Plan Could Hand U.S. Tech Edge to China

As the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) presses ahead with its 2020 antitrust lawsuit against Google, the tech giant is calling the case outdated and dangerous in an era marked by global competition and rapid innovation. With services like ChatGPT and China-based DeepSeek AI gaining traction, Google argues that the DOJ’s proposed remedies could harm U.S. technological leadership rather than protect it.

The DOJ’s recommendations aim to restrict Google’s dominance in search distribution by, among other things, forcing browsers and mobile devices to switch default search engines away from Google. Critics argue this could hinder user access to preferred services.

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Key DOJ proposals include:

• Forcing browsers to use alternative default search engines, like Microsoft Bing.
  
• Blocking Google from competing for search distribution, which could raise phone and browser costs.
  
• Requiring Google to share user search data with unfamiliar third parties, raising privacy concerns.
  
• Restricting AI development with government oversight, potentially impacting innovation.
  
• Breaking off Chrome and Android from Google, risking cybersecurity and increasing device costs.
  

Google plans to appeal the court’s decision and present its case at trial, arguing for a more balanced approach that preserves competition without compromising innovation or national security.