The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday abandoned its proposal that would have forced Alphabet’s Google to divest its investments in artificial intelligence companies, including rival Anthropic, as part of its broader antitrust case aimed at curbing Google’s alleged illegal search monopoly.
The decision comes amid ongoing litigation and regulatory actions targeting Big Tech.
The proposal, initially drafted in November, would have required Google to sell its stakes in AI ventures in an effort to boost competition in online search. Instead, the DOJ and a coalition of 38 state attorneys general are now focusing on securing a court order that would compel Google to divest its Chrome browser and implement additional measures designed to address anticompetitive practices. In court papers filed in Washington, prosecutors argued, “The American dream is about higher values than just cheap goods and 'free' online services. These values include freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom to innovate, and freedom to compete in a market undistorted by the controlling hand of a monopolist.”
A Google spokesperson countered that the sweeping proposals “continue to go miles beyond the Court's decision” and would harm American consumers, the economy, and national security. The company also announced that it intends to appeal the decision. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Anthropic did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The DOJ’s shift in focus follows evidence obtained since the draft recommendation that suggested banning Google from AI investments could lead to unintended consequences in the rapidly evolving AI sector. Instead, the government now seeks a requirement that Google provide prior notice of any future investments in generative AI. This move comes as part of a broader campaign by President Donald Trump, who has vowed to continue cracking down on Big Tech. Trump has appointed veteran antitrust attorney Gail Slater to lead the DOJ’s efforts in these cases.
Google currently holds a minority stake in Anthropic valued at billions of dollars. Critics argue that forcing a sale could inadvertently hand a competitive edge to OpenAI and its partner Microsoft. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta has scheduled a trial on the remaining proposals for April.
The case is one among several high-profile antitrust actions facing major tech companies, with Apple, Meta Platforms, and Amazon also confronting allegations of maintaining illegal monopolies in their respective markets. Since his reelection, Google has warned that the DOJ’s approach could undermine its competitiveness in AI and jeopardize America’s global economic and technological leadership.
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Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, has accused Western countries of demanding a 30-day ceasefire to give Ukraine’s military a chance to regroup. Zakharova's remarks highlight the growing tension surrounding the ongoing war and the international calls for temporary peace in orde
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has declared his readiness for direct peace talks with Russia in Turkey, describing Moscow’s lack of response as a “strange silence.” He emphasized the importance of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s support for the initiative.
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Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, has accused Western countries of demanding a 30-day ceasefire to give Ukraine’s military a chance to regroup. Zakharova's remarks highlight the growing tension surrounding the ongoing war and the international calls for temporary peace in orde
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has declared his readiness for direct peace talks with Russia in Turkey, describing Moscow’s lack of response as a “strange silence.” He emphasized the importance of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s support for the initiative.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Türkiye is resolutely moving toward the goal of completely eliminating the terror problem from the national agenda, marking a significant milestone on the "Terror-Free Türkiye" path.
On May 12, the Baku Military Court resumed hearings in the case against Armenian citizens accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 1993 occupation of Kalbajar.
On May 12, during an official visit to Bahrain, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held talks focused on strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and exchanging views on regional security issues.
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