Report: U.S. Justice Department Official to Ask Google to Sell Off Chrome Browser

[engine]

According to a report, the U.S. Justice Department is to ask google to sell off its Chrome Browser, according to people familiar with the matter.

Owning the world’s most popular web browser is key for Google’s ads business. The company is able to see activity from signed-in users, and use that data to more effectively target promotions, which generate the bulk of its revenue. Google has also been using Chrome to direct users to its flagship AI product, Gemini, which has the potential to evolve from an answer-bot to an assistant that follows users around the web.

[bloomberg.com...]

www.bloomberg.com DOJ Will Push Google to Sell off Chrome to Break Search Monopoly Alphabet Inc.'s Chrome browser could go for as much as $20 billion if a judge agrees to a Justice Department proposal to sell the business, in what would be a historic crackdown on one of the world's biggest tech companies.

[tangor]

Up Next: Android

[lucy24]

As we speak, G### higher-ups are drawing straws to determine who gets to butter-up the incoming president so the whole issue goes away.

[Dimitri]

One has to realize that if Google has to sell Chrome, then, it means that the next iteration of Chrome will include an ad blocker by default, would it be a win-win for the webmaster community?

[engine]

In a filing, the U.S. Department of Justice files a document to ask a judge to make moves to sell Chrome, but stops short of demanding a sale of Android.

The proposed breakup floated in a 23-page document filed late Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Justice calls for sweeping punishments that would include a sale of Google’s industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions to prevent Android from favoring its own search engine.

[apnews.com...]

apnews.com US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment The measures, if they are ordered, threaten to upend a business expected to generate more than $300 billion in revenue this year.

[universenet]

And anybody know what will be about android? Combination free/paid?

[Dimitri]

I wonder who could be interested in buying Chrome and for how much.

Anyone can create its own Chrome browser, from the Chromium project, this is what Microsoft did with Edge, Opera, Brave etc..

Buying Chrome is only buying the existing users base, without being sure the users will stay there forever.

To have a return on investment, the new owner will have to use Chrome to drive traffic to its own services and products, this is what Google is doing ...

[universenet]

but andrid is key too , imagine that android has new owner, so new installation or upgrade will maybe make google and chrome out from default

[Dimitri]

If I don't make mistake, in Europe, we have the choice of the browser when we set up an OS, and once in a while my Chrome browser asks me to choose the default Search engine among a list, that is being displayed in a random order.

However, I am sure that most of people choose Chrome, and Google Search, because these are the most famous and strongest brands.

I asked Chat GPT about who would have the most interest in buying Chrome :

Among the potential buyers, Microsoft might have the most interest in acquiring Chrome. Here are a few reasons why:

Competitive Advantage: Acquiring Chrome would significantly enhance Microsoft's browser capabilities, allowing it to compete more effectively against other browsers, especially in terms of market share.

User Base: Chrome has a large and loyal user base. Microsoft could leverage this to boost its own services and products, such as Windows and Office.

Technology Integration: Microsoft could integrate Chrome's technology into its own products, improving performance and user experience across its ecosystem.

Market Strategy: Given Microsoft's focus on cloud services and software, owning Chrome could align with its broader strategy to enhance its online offerings.

However, it's important to note that such a move would also face regulatory scrutiny due to antitrust concerns, given the significant market power that would result from such an acquisition. Other companies, like Apple or Mozilla, could also have strategic interests, but Microsoft's alignment with browser technology and services makes it a strong candidate.

For once, I agree with ChatGPT (we are often arguing and having disputes :">).

[universenet]

Ok, if Microsoft buy chrome will put own browser there? And?
With all full ads in first page same like google?
It is like a comedy

[Dimitri]

In all events I think that for users and web publishers, there is no good solution. Also, if Google sells Chrome, there is nothing preventing them to create another web browser, still based on Chromium and within a year they could certainly gain back most of the users base.

To me, forcing Google to sell Chrome makes no sense. If Microsoft, or any other Internet giant buys it, they'll replace Google stuff, by their own, and within a few years, you'll get the same situation, but with a different player.

This would make more sense, for example, if you forbid to use Google account within Chrome, if you force Google to offer the choice of a different search engine at regular interval of times, thigs like that.

And if we go through other stupid ideas, why not make Chrome randomly selects a search engine for each query (I wouldn't find that stupid, because I love discovering things through random events) .

[engine]

It shows that the "authorities" don't really understand the technology.
What they are trying to do is crack a nut with a sledgehammer.
Who would want to take control of Chrome Browser?
What's stopping the buyer from controlling much of what goes on?

[Dimitri]

I wonder how the US authorities will react if China buys Chrome (like they did with Opera).

[universenet]

I wonder how the US authorities will react if China buys Chrome (like they did with Opera).

They will not allow to China buy even they can stop some other potential buyers too
if they see that can be dangerous

[Dimitri]

My remark was ironical.

[Dimitri]

I think this is going to last for a decade or more, when people in place will not remember what it was about in the first place.

Meanwhile, Google will certainly make some modifications to show they are trying to comply, and moving forward for the good of mankind.

For example, I think that it wouldn't hurt Google's business to offer the choice of the default browser to install, when setting up an Android device. 99% of people will pick Chrome, because that is the only name they know.

In the same kind of idea, Google can offer the option to choose the default search engine, when someone install Chrome ... same, most of people will pick Google, because the is the name they know.

Google can also abandon the exclusive deals. First of all, it will save Google tens of billions a year, and a share of people will continue to pick Google anyhow. In this case, this is Firefox that will be the most impacted , ... if I don't make mistake , Google pays Firefox $400 million / year.

Like I said even if Google abandons the exclusive deals, a good amount of people will continue to install Google Search / Chrome.

So, I think there are a lot of work around for Google, to try to avoid sanctions, or limit them, without really hurting its business model.

[BeachWalker]

Actually, Chrome would look pretty good dressed up as Safari.
Safari on Windows and Android?

[Dimitri]

From 2007 to 2012 , Safari was available on Windows, then Apple discontinued it.

A browser available on all supports could be interesting for Apple, but, Chrome is based on the open source Chromium that Google will still control in a way or another. Apple usually prefers to have a full control of its software.