Earlier this year, Google encountered a major setback when it **lost a significant antitrust lawsuit** initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Consequently, the tech behemoth may be compelled to divest **Google Chrome**, which is currently the **most popular web browser** worldwide.

As per a report from **Bloomberg**, the DOJ is anticipated to suggest that Google should be mandated to divest its Chrome browser as part of the remedies for its antitrust infringements. In the lawsuit, U.S. District Judge **Amit Mehta** determined that Google had engaged in **anticompetitive behavior**, primarily via exclusive distribution agreements with other tech firms.

These agreements guaranteed that **Google Search** became the default search engine on the vast majority of desktop and mobile devices in the U.S. Presently, Google boasts an incredible **89 percent** share of the global search engine market, a number that escalates to **93 percent** on mobile devices, according to **StatCounter**.

Throughout the years, Google has compensated **Apple** up to **$200 billion per year** to uphold its status as the default search engine on **Safari**, Apple’s built-in browser on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Nonetheless, such arrangements may no longer be permissible in the future.

“**Google is a monopolist, and it has operated as one to sustain its monopoly,**” Judge Mehta remarked in his **August ruling**.

Google has disclosed intentions to **appeal the ruling**.

Should the court mandate Google to divest Chrome, it would deal a substantial blow to the company. Chrome currently holds nearly **67 percent** of the global web browser market, significantly ahead of **Safari**, which captures just **18 percent**.

However, the potential loss of Chrome is not the sole repercussion Google could encounter. According to Bloomberg, the DOJ is also likely to advocate for additional actions concerning **Google’s Android operating system**, **artificial intelligence**, and **data licensing**.

Specifically, the DOJ may recommend that Google be obligated to **separate its Android operating system** from other Google services, such as **Google Search** and the **Google Play Store**, presenting Android as an independent product. Fortunately for Google, the DOJ no longer appears to support a complete divestiture of Android. Moreover, the DOJ is expected to recommend that Google provide websites with more options to **opt out** of having their content utilized by its AI, license search engine data, and allow advertisers more authority over their ad placements.

The courts may conclude that these measures suffice to encourage a more competitive marketplace, potentially making a Chrome divestiture unnecessary. Nevertheless, if these actions are deemed inadequate, Google might be compelled to relinquish Chrome in what would constitute one of the most significant antitrust actions in U.S. history.

Bloomberg’s report follows the DOJ’s **proposed remedy framework** submitted in October. A final decision in this antitrust matter is anticipated in **August next year**, pending Google’s appeal.