According to Jody Godoy from Reuters, Alphabet’s Google has suggested a modification to its agreements with Apple and other companies to allow for more flexibility in setting Google as the default search engine on new devices. This proposal is in response to a U.S. ruling that found Google to have an unlawful monopoly in online search.
Google’s proposal focuses on addressing the issue without drastic interventions, as opposed to the government’s suggestion of requiring Google to sell its Chrome browser. Google is urging caution in determining the necessary actions to restore competition in the market, emphasizing the importance of not stifling innovation, particularly in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence technologies.
While Google plans to appeal the ruling, it is looking ahead to the “remedies” phase of the case, where it aims to address distribution agreements with browser developers, mobile device manufacturers, and wireless carriers. The judge had previously noted that these agreements give Google an advantage over its competitors, leading to the pre-loading of Google’s search engine on most devices in the U.S.
To address these concerns, Google has proposed making its agreements non-exclusive and allowing for annual reconsideration of default search engine settings by browser developers. The proposal does not include ending revenue sharing agreements, which are vital for companies like Mozilla and Apple.
The proposal has sparked reactions from competitors like DuckDuckGo, who argue that the remedy should go beyond just stopping the illegal conduct and focus on restoring competition in the affected markets. The stage is set for a trial in April, where the U.S. Department of Justice and states will push for broader remedies, potentially including the divestiture of Chrome and Android.
Overall, the proposals aim to foster innovation in the online search space, where Google’s dominant market position has hindered competition and innovation.
AI. (Reportin by Jody Godoy in New York; Editin by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
