The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has indicated it is considering whether to ask a judge to break up Google in a move that would be a seismic for the technology industry.
The DoJ said in a court filing on Tuesday (8 October) that the requested measures may include “structural requirements” to prevent Google from maintaining its internet search “monopoly”.
Google has warned that the proposed changes could have unintended consequences for businesses and consumers.
The DoJ announcement comes two months after a US court found that Google had maintained its dominance of online search through illegal practices.
In 2020, the US government filed a landmark case alleging that Google had erected strong barriers to entry in the search market, creating a feedback loop that sustained its dominance.
The US District Court found in August that Google had outlawed Section 2 of the Sherman Act, which outlaws monopolies.
In Tuesday’s court filing, the DoJ said it is …