US DoJ says it is weighing whether to break up Google or not, says will make tech giant share search data

The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has indicated it is considering the drastic step of breaking up Google in response to the tech giant’s monopolisation of the online search market.

In a historic move, federal antitrust enforcers are evaluating whether parts of Google’s operations should be sold off to prevent further harm caused by its dominance in the search industry.

The DoJ’s court filing suggests that Judge Amit Mehta, who is overseeing the case, could also compel Google to provide access to the data it uses for generating search results and developing artificial intelligence products. This would mark a significant shift in the regulation of tech companies, pushing for greater transparency and levelling the playing field for competitors.

Breaking Google’s hold on search
The Justice Department is exploring both “behavioural and structural” solutions. One option would be forcing Google to separate its search business from other key products, such as Chrome, Play Store, and the Android operating system.

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By doing so, the DoJ hopes to prevent Google from using its dominance in these areas to unfairly boost its search engine and other related features, including those driven by artificial intelligence.

This case represents Washington’s most significant antitrust action since its unsuccessful attempt to break up Microsoft two decades ago.

DoJ alleges Google gained an unfair advantage through illegal agreements with other tech companies, ensuring its search engine became the default on smartphones and web browsers. This helped the company grow its user base and collect vast amounts of data, cementing its monopolistic position.

What’s next for Google
A trial to determine the best remedy is scheduled for next spring, with a decision expected by August 2025. Although Google has already announced its intention to appeal Judge Mehta’s ruling, it must wait until the remedy is finalised before pursuing any legal action.

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In a separate antitrust case, another judge recently ordered Google to open up its app store for the next three years, addressing its dominance in app distribution on Android devices. Google also plans to appeal this decision.

The DoJ’s push to dismantle Google could reshape the tech industry, marking a turning point in how monopolies are regulated. If successful, it may signal the beginning of more aggressive actions against other tech giants accused of similar monopolistic behaviour.