Google may be forced to sell off Chrome web browser by US DOJ: Report

US Department of Justice will ask a judge to force Alphabet's Google to sell off its Chrome internet browser, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing people familiar with plans.

DOJ will also ask judge, who ruled in August that Google illegally monopolized search market, to require measures related to artificial intelligence and its Android smartphone operating system, report said.

Google controls how people view internet and what s y see in part through its Chrome browser, which typically uses Google search, gars information important to Google's business, and is estimated to have about two-thirds of global browser market.

DOJ declined to comment. Google, in a statement from Lee-Anne Mulholland, vice president, Google Regulatory Affairs, said DOJ is pushing a "rical agenda that goes far beyond legal issues in this case," and would harm consumers.

move would be one of most aggressive attempts by Biden ministration to curb what it alleges are Big Tech monopolies.

Ultimately, however, re-election of Donald Trump to presidency could have greatest impact over case.

Two months before election, Trump claimed he would prosecute Google for what he perceives as bias against him. But a month later, Trump questioned wher breaking up company was a good idea.

company plans to appeal once U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta makes a final ruling, which he is likely to do by August 2025. Mehta has scheduled a trial on remedy proposals for April.

Prosecutors h floated a range of potential remedies in case, from ending exclusive agreements where Google pays billions of dollars annually to Apple Inc and or companies to remain default search engine on tablets and smart phones, all way to divesting parts of its business, such as Chrome and Android operating system.

Because Chrome's market share is so high, it is an important revenue driver for Google. At same time, when users sign into Chrome with a Google account, Google can offer more targeted search s.

Google maintains its search engine has won users with its quality, ding that it faces robust competition from Amazon and or sites and users can choose or search engines as ir default.

government has option to decide wher a Chrome sale is necessary at a later date if some of or aspects of remedy create a more competitive market, Bloomberg report said.