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A US judge declined to postpone the Department of Justice's antitrust trial against Google, slated for April, despite potential policy shifts under President Trump's administration. The DOJ alleges Google's illegal monopoly in search and advertising, proposing drastic remedies like selling Chrome and limiting AI activities.
US Judge Rejects Trump-Era Delay in Google Trial
The judge presiding over the case announced on Tuesday that the Trump administration will not be granted additional time to alter its request to limit Google's dominance in online search and that the trial on the US Department of Justice's proposals to do just that will go as scheduled, Reuters reports.
In an effort to cut off Google Search's distribution points, the Department of Justice has suggested that Alphabet's Google sell its Chrome browser and maybe the Android mobile operating system. In October, then-candidate Trump voiced his doubts regarding a possible Google split.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta of Washington stated that he would not postpone the April trial if Trump-appointed DOJ officials intend to change the proposals.
DOJ Lawsuit Highlights Google’s Alleged Search Monopoly
"If there is going to be a re-evaluation of the remedies that are being requested, it needs to be done quickly," the judge stated during the hearing.
Near the end of Trump's first term in office (2020), the Department of Justice filed suit against Google. Google has an unlawful monopoly in internet search and related advertising, according to a ruling by Mehta in August.
Under U.S. President Joe Biden, the Department of Justice has suggested that Google sells the most popular web browser in the world and shares data and search results with competitors.
Furthermore, according to US News, the comprehensive plan aims to forbid Google from acquiring or investing in competing search engines, query-based AI technologies, or advertising technology.
Google Challenges DOJ Over AI and Search Restrictions
The tech giant has decried the plans, describing them as "staggering," and claimed they will hurt American productivity.
The impact of AI on the search engine landscape is anticipated to be a central focus of the trial. Microsoft, Meta Platforms, OpenAI (the creator of ChatGPT), and Perplexity (an artificial intelligence startup) are all expected to be called as witnesses by the prosecution.
