In closing arguments of the major antitrust case against Google, lawyers for the company and the US Department of Justice discuss how artificial intelligence will reshape the internet and search engines. The fate of Chrome browser and the future of web search hang in the balance.
G. Ostrov
The antitrust case against Google has reached a critical juncture. After months of legal proceedings, lawyers for the company and the US Department of Justice have presented their closing arguments in a case that could fundamentally alter the future of the internet and search technologies.
Core Charges and Demands
The Department of Justice has already won the initial trial, securing a ruling that Google used anticompetitive practices to maintain its monopoly in general search. Now the regulator is asking Federal Judge Amit Mehta to impose limits on Google's business dealings and order a divestment of the Chrome browser.
One of the prosecution's main targets has been Google's placement deals with companies like Apple and Mozilla to be the default search provider. Despite Google's claims that users can change the defaults anytime, evidence presented at trial showed that virtually no one does.
Collateral Damage to Competitors
During closing arguments, Judge Mehta asked both sides about testimony from a Mozilla executive alleging that losing the Google search deal could destroy the company. Similarly, Apple's Eddie Cue admitted he loses sleep over the possibility of losing Google revenue — the arrangement reportedly nets Apple about $20 billion per year.
DOJ's David Dahlquist admitted there could be some "private impact" but contended Apple and Mozilla are overestimating the risks. Judge Mehta expressed concern that he didn't want to damage other markets in an effort to fix search.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
A key moment in the case has been the evolution of AI's role in search technologies. In 2023, everyone in the courtroom agreed that AI's impact on search was still years away, but now the situation has dramatically changed. Google has gone all-in with AI search over the past year.
Judge Mehta mused about the future of search, suggesting we may have to rethink what a general search engine represents in 2025. "Maybe people don't want 10 blue links anymore," he noted.
The Chrome Problem and Elegant Solution
The judge expressed skepticism about forcing Chrome's sale, but during closing arguments his position seemed to soften. He called Chrome divestment "less speculative" and "more elegant" compared to other proposed remedies.
However, questions remain about the Chromium project — the open-source platform that serves as the foundation for many other browsers. The judge expressed doubts that potential buyers have the necessary scale and expertise to maintain Chromium.
What's Next?
Following closing arguments, Judge Mehta must decide Google's fate. This is expected to happen in August, but even then nothing will change immediately — Google has already confirmed its intention to appeal the decision. The final conclusion of the case could take years more.
Official US Department of Justice website
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