The US government may look to break up Google as it considers ways of challenging its monopoly of the internet search market.
The Department of Justice has filed court papers in which it considers “structural remedies” that would prevent Google from using its own products including the Chrome web browser, Android mobile operating system and the Play Store for downloading apps.
It specifically referred to Google using these products to build up any future dominance around the fledgling artificial intelligence market.
The DoJ may also ask a judge to block Google from paying to have its search engine, which powers 90% of global searches, pre-installed on devices including smartphones.
In spending billions building up its monopoly, the filing accused Google of imposing “interlocking and pernicious harms” on users.
Google, owned by Alphabet, said it would challenge any legal cases brought by the DoJ.
Lee-Anne Mulholland, its vice-president for regulatory affairs, wrote in a blog post that the “radical” proposals marked an “overreach” by the government.
She said: “This case is about a set of search distribution contracts. Rather than focus on that, the government seems to be pursuing a sweeping agenda that will impact numerous industries and products, with significant unintended consequences for consumers, businesses and American competitiveness.”
The court filing follows a ruling in favour of the DoJ in August which found that Google had violated antitrust laws in building up an illegal monopoly.
The filing said: “For more than a decade, Google has controlled the most popular distribution channels, leaving rivals with little to no incentive to compete for users. Fully remedying these harms requires not only ending Google’s control of distribution today, but also ensuring Google cannot control the distribution of tomorrow.”
The DoJ is expected to submit a more detailed set of proposals by 20th November, while Google will be able to submit its own proposed remedies by 20th December.