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.
An agreement between Iran and the U.S. to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is expected "soon," a U.S. official has said. The deal would result in the resum...
A state of emergency was declared in the district of Summerland, British Columbia, early on Saturday as a fast-moving wildfire swept through western C...
Typhoon Dolphin lashed Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture on Saturday, injuring six people, disrupting flights and leaving more than 50,000 buildin...
An agreement between Iran and the U.S. to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is expected "soon," a U.S. official has said. The deal would result in the resumption of commercial shipping through the sea passage and the lifting of an American naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 8th of August, covering the latest developments.
U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz are progressing and suggested an agreement with Iran could be reached “soon”.
U.S. President Donald Trump may have to accept concessions he previously opposed if he wants to secure a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to analysts, as negotiators move closer to a temporary agreement.
Typhoon Dolphin lashed Japan’s southern Okinawa prefecture on Saturday, injuring six people, disrupting flights and leaving more than 50,000 buildings without power, as China shut ports and suspended transport services ahead of the storm’s expected arrival on its east coast.
A state of emergency was declared in the district of Summerland, British Columbia, early on Saturday as a fast-moving wildfire swept through western Canada, forcing thousands of residents to leave their homes.
Serbia will continue to support Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity while seeking closer economic cooperation between the two countries, President Aleksandar Vučić said on Saturday, stopping short of pledging sanctions against Belgrade’s long-time ally Russia.
One year after its launch, the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) has emerged as one of the most significant diplomatic and economic initiatives in the South Caucasus, linking peace efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan with expanding trade and regional connectivity.
A drone entered Bulgarian airspace from Romania on Saturday and exploded near the village of Kardam, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said, adding that there were no casualties or damage to infrastructure.
Russian drone strikes killed a three-year-old boy and his grandparents in a village in the Kyiv region, while another person was killed in an overnight ballistic missile attack on the Ukrainian capital, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment