In the United States, is the era of big tech giant monopolies coming to an end? In any case, the noose is tightening around Google, already condemned in first instance by a federal judge for its anti-competitive practices. On Wednesday, October 9, the American Department of Justice sent its recommendations to the courts to correct this monopoly situation and the measures worry the Californian group.
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It is a document of around thirty pages which has the effect of a small earthquake in Silicon Valley. The Ministry of Justice American recommends a number of “structural” changes to Washington Federal Judge Amit Mehta before sentencing Google, convicted in early August for monopoly. For many observers, this would mean creating a split within the group. Objective: to prevent interconnections between different products: the Chrome browser, the Google Play Store application store or the Android mobile operating system.
In August, the trial had notably highlighted the staggering sums paid by the Alphabet subsidiary to ensure the default installation of Google Search with smartphone and internet browser manufacturers. According to the StatCounter website, in September Google accounted for 90% of the global online search market and even 94% for smartphones. “ These recommendations go well beyond legal issues », Reacted the group in a press release. A separation of activities would change their economic model and increase the cost of devices “, he continues.
Data sharing
Among other avenues for reform, the first version of the government’s recommendations to the judge mentions the obligation that would be placed on Google to make accessible the data and programming models used to generate results via its search engine. The ministry also plans to ask the magistrate to prohibit Google from using or retaining data that it refuses to share with third-party companies.
The document presented on Wednesday October 8 is only a preliminary version. Final guidelines are not expected until next month. But the case could last several years if Google appeals, all the way to the United States Supreme Court.
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