Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, alongside 37 other attorneys general and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), has put forward a plan to address Google's alleged anticompetitive practices. This proposal is part of an ongoing lawsuit that began in 2020, which accuses Google of maintaining its monopoly through exclusionary contracts.
The proposed final judgment was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. "Greater choices and transparency are the framework for true competition," stated Yost. "Addressing Google’s anticompetitive behavior is crucial to protecting consumers – our top priority."
Among the suggested remedies is the divestiture of Google's Chrome browser to foster competition in the search market. Key provisions include prohibiting Google from paying for default search-engine placements on devices and requiring it to offer a "choice screen" with alternatives approved by a Technical Committee, attorneys general, and DOJ.
Google would also be mandated to share specified search-engine and advertising data with competitors to encourage short-term competition and long-term innovation. Additionally, a public educational campaign funded by Google would inform users about these changes, potentially offering financial incentives for choosing non-Google search engines.
To ensure compliance, a five-member Technical Committee would oversee Google's adherence to these measures, with most provisions lasting ten years. Violations could result in penalties such as divesting Android.
This coalition includes attorneys general from numerous states and territories across the United States.