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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Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said a Togo-flagged oil tanker was struck while attempting to make an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said early on Friday.
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
The European Union will disburse €3.3 billion ($3.8 billion) to Ukraine for missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 18 September 2026. These are the top five stories making headlines in the field of science.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
Cuba's electrical grid suffered a total collapse on Friday, plunging the nation into darkness and leaving millions without power amid a U.S. pressure campaign that has largely blocked oil from reaching the Caribbean's largest island.
A China Coast Guard vessel rammed a Philippine boat on a refueling mission in the South China Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said, in the latest confrontation between the two countries in disputed waters.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that additional news organisations could be barred from the White House, hours after announcing bans on CNN, MS NOW and Politico over coverage he described as “fake news”.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Denmark and Greenland on Friday that would significantly expand Washington’s military presence on the Arctic island and give the United States what he described as permanent authority over its security.
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