Attorney General Dan Rayfield, alongside a coalition of 38 attorneys general, has presented a final proposal aimed at dismantling Google's monopoly on internet search engines. This move is intended to reintroduce competition and benefit consumers nationwide.
The revised Proposed Final Judgment aligns with what the states and the Justice Department previously submitted in November to a D.C. federal district court judge. Last year, this judge declared Google as a monopolist in online search.
"Google's long grip on the search engine market is another step closer to being released," stated Rayfield. "Oregon and other states are pushing back against a tech giant that has turned competition into an afterthought, limiting consumer choice and innovation in the process."
The coalition collaborated with the Justice Department to devise a plan designed to eliminate barriers, foster competition, and promote new ideas beneficial for consumers and innovators within markets dominated by Google.
Under the proposed solution, Google would be prohibited from paying companies like Apple and Android to set its search engine as the default option. Additionally, Google would need to divest its Chrome browser. Should these changes prove ineffective or if Google fails to comply, further alterations might be required concerning browsers or even the Android system.
The government would retain oversight of Google's financial activities related to online search and AI for a limited period to prevent recurrence of unfair practices with emerging technologies.
Moreover, the agreement mandates that Google relinquish exclusive control over valuable data by sharing parts of its search, user, and ad data with competitors temporarily. The updated plan emphasizes careful handling of data sharing while considering privacy and national security concerns.
A hearing regarding these proposed remedies is scheduled from April 21 through May 9.