What to know

  • Google CEO Sundar Pichai testified in court that the DOJ's antitrust proposal could force Google to sell its Chrome browser and share search data.
  • Pichai warned that these actions could put user privacy at risk and amount to a "full divestiture" of Google Search.
  • The DOJ seeks remedies after a judge found Google violated antitrust law in the search market.
  • Pichai argued that Google's dominance is not guaranteed, citing strong competition in AI and search.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai appeared in a Washington, D.C. federal court to testify in the ongoing antitrust case brought by the U.S. Department of Justice. The court is considering remedies after a judge ruled last year that Google illegally maintained a monopoly in the search market.

The DOJ has proposed that Google be required to sell its Chrome browser and share some of the data it collects from users. Pichai said he has "a lot of concerns around privacy" if Google is forced to sell or share this data. He explained that people use Google Search in their most vulnerable moments, and he believes the DOJ's proposal does not include enough privacy protections for users.

Pichai described the DOJ's remedy as "so far-reaching, so extraordinary" that it would feel like a "full divestiture" of Google Search. He emphasized that Google has invested years of research and development into its products and that the proposed changes could undermine those efforts.

Pichai also raised concerns about how a potential future competitor would secure users' information if Google were forced to share its data. He argued that Google has done more than any other company to safeguard user data over the years.

Despite the DOJ's claims, Pichai said Google's dominance is not assured. He pointed to the rapid growth of generative AI and noted that OpenAI's ChatGPT is currently a market leader. Pichai said there are many new entrants in the AI space, and Google faces significant competition.

The outcome of the case could have a major impact on Google, its users, and the broader technology industry. The court will decide whether to accept the DOJ's proposed remedies or consider alternatives suggested by Google.

Via: The Verge