A bipartisan coalition of 38 state Attorneys General, led by Colorado’s Phil Weiser and Tennessee’s Jonathan Skrmetti, alongside the U.S. Justice Department, has advanced a final package of resolutions aimed at dismantling Google’s monopoly over internet search engines. The proposed legal measures, pending judicial approval, focus on prohibiting Google from paying to secure its default search engine status on key platforms like Android and Apple devices.
This legal action builds on the momentum from a landmark ruling last year by a federal judge, affirming Google’s monopoly in online searches. The refined Proposed Final Judgment mirrors an initial proposal submitted to the same judge in November and includes comprehensive strategies to restore competitive fairness in the search engine market.
Attorney General Dave Sunday highlighted the pervasive influence of Google, noting, “To ‘Google’ has become synonymous with internet searching, a testament to longstanding monopolistic practices that disadvantage consumers.” He emphasized that the current market configuration enables Google to manipulate search outcomes, undermining consumer choice.
The coalition’s resolution package calls for a sweeping ban on all search-related financial transactions between Google and its distribution partners, including tech giants like Apple. More drastically, it suggests that Google could be compelled to divest its ownership of Chrome, and potentially Android, should the initial measures fall short or if Google fails to adhere to the court’s directives.
Additional provisions seek to prevent future anti-competitive conduct by Google, particularly concerning emerging technologies like generative AI. The proposal would allow the coalition preliminary oversight of Google’s investments in these areas for a set period.
The measures also aim to dilute Google’s control over critical market data by mandating the sharing of select search, user, and advertisement data with competitors, while ensuring privacy and national security are not compromised.
Hearings to discuss these proposed remedies are scheduled from April 21 to May 9. The coalition includes Attorneys General from a diverse range of states including Alaska, New York, Utah, and others, extending to territories like Guam and Puerto Rico, all united in their commitment to fostering a competitive market that benefits consumers nationwide.
