PHOENIX – Attorney General Kris Mayes, along with a coalition of state attorneys general and the U.S. Department of Justice, has proposed a comprehensive plan to dismantle Google’s dominance over internet search engines. The plan aims to reinstate fair competition and ensure consumers have real choices.
“This bipartisan effort reflects a shared commitment to restoring fair competition in the digital marketplace,” said Mayes. “By ending Google’s illegal monopoly, we can ensure consumers have real choices and that businesses can compete on a level playing field.”
Background on Antitrust Actions
The initiative stems from lawsuits filed against Google in 2020, including a multistate lawsuit involving 38 attorneys general and a federal antitrust lawsuit filed by the Justice Department. Both alleged that Google maintained its monopoly through anticompetitive practices and exclusive contracts.
In a significant ruling in August 2024, a federal court determined that Google violated antitrust laws by maintaining its monopoly in online search and search text advertisements.
Proposed Remedies
The proposed final judgment, submitted to the court, seeks to dismantle Google’s monopolistic practices through the following measures:
- End Anticompetitive Contracts: Prohibit Google from paying to be the default search engine on devices and browsers.
- Data Sharing for Competition: Require Google to share its data with rival companies to foster competition while safeguarding user privacy.
- Divestiture of Chrome and Potential Android Separation: Seek the divestiture of Google’s Chrome browser. If remedies fail, the divestiture could extend to the Android operating system.
- Prohibit Self-Preferencing: Prevent Google from leveraging its control of products like Android to favor its own search engine or AI models.
- Publisher Data Rights: Allow publishers to opt out of their data being used to train Google’s AI models or incorporated into Google’s generative AI answers.
- Consumer Awareness Campaign: Fund a public education campaign to inform users about Google’s anticompetitive practices and encourage exploration of alternative search engines.
Oversight and Implementation
The proposal includes the formation of a five-member technical committee tasked with overseeing the remedies for a decade.
Broader Impact
These remedies aim to break Google’s control over search distribution, improve consumer choice, and create a more competitive environment for digital services.
The coalition of states participating in this effort includes Arizona, Colorado, Nebraska, New York, and several others. The hearing on the proposed remedies is set for April 22, 2025.
“Google’s monopoly has stifled competition and harmed consumers,” Mayes concluded. “This proposal ensures that digital markets work for everyone, not just a select few.”
