US Government Asked to Force Google To Sell Off Chrome Internet Browser

The U.S. Department of Justice will ask a judge to force Google to sell off its Chrome internet browser.That's according to a report Monday by Bloomberg News, citing people familiar with the plans.The same judge ruled in August that Google illegally monopolized the search market, helped by the dominance of Chrome, which is estimated to control around two-thirds of the market for internet browsers.Bloomberg says the DOJ will also ask the judge to require measures covering artificial intelligence products and Google's Android smartphone operating system.The report said the government has the option to decide whether a Chrome sale is necessary at a later date if some of the other aspects of the remedy create a more competitive market.The DOJ declined to comment, while Google said the department is pushing a "radical agenda that goes far beyond the legal issues in this case."It plans to appeal after the judge’s final ruling, which will likely come before August.The move would be one of the most aggressive attempts by the Biden administration to curb what it alleges are Big Tech monopolies.Ultimately, however, the re-election of Donald Trump to the presidency could have the greatest impact on the case.Two months before the election, Trump claimed he would prosecute Google for what he perceived as bias against him.