Google warns DOJ breakup plan could destroy Android and Chrome -- plus hurt the US economy
Google is hitting back at the Department of Justice over a proposed plan that could force massive changes to how the company operates. The DOJ, which sued Google back in 2020 over search distribution practices, is now pushing for remedies that Google says go way too far -- and could end up hurting American consumers, innovation, and even national security!
In a new blog post, the search giant says the proposed changes are not only unnecessary but also dangerous. At the heart of the issue is how Google partners with phone makers and browsers to make its search engine the default. According to Google, people use its search because they want to -- not because they’re forced to. The company says blocking these deals would just make it harder for people to get to the services they prefer, with alternatives like Microsoft’s Bing being pushed on users instead.
Google reacts to DOJ’s ‘extreme proposal’ that it should sell Chrome
The US Department of Justice has put forward proposals designed to break Google’s monopoly over online searches. Included in the DOJ’s proposals is the recommendation that Google sell off its Chrome web browser.
Other proposals include putting blocks in place that would stop the tech giant from entering into contracts with companies that result in Google being the default search engine on various platforms. Google has lashed out at the proposals saying that they go too far and would cause harm to customers and innovation.
Complying with the DoJ's Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative
Under the Department of Justice’s (DoJ) new Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative, government contractors will be under enhanced accountability for implementing cybersecurity measures and reporting breaches and incidents. The DoJ’s unveiling of the initiative comes in response to criticism of current department security protocols, which have often wavered across the board and permitted cybersecurity-related fraud through a lack of enforcement.
The Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative will both focus on standardizing cybersecurity procedures for government contractors to follow and curbing cybersecurity-related fraud where companies fail to report cyber incidents.