Chrome is one of the key products that embodies Google’s brand identity, making it deeply integrated across the company’s ecosystem. This tight integration often spells trouble for competition and, ultimately, for regular users. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has raised concerns about Chrome’s role in strengthening Google’s monopoly in search and advertising, prompting a call to separate Chrome into an independent business.
When the court asked why Google pays billions in revenue-sharing agreements despite already having the best search engine, it responded that these payments “provide an incredibly strong incentive for the ecosystem to do nothing”; they “essentially make the ecosystem highly resistant to change” wrote U.S. Judge Amit Mehta, citing testimony from Dr. Sridhar Ramaswamy, a veteran in Google’s search division and former Senior Vice President of Ads and Commerce at Google.
Experts have drawn parallels between this case and the landmark antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft over two decades ago, where Internet Explorer was at the center of controversy. However, the internet has since evolved significantly. Browsers are no longer just gateways to the web – they are critical hubs that connect user tracking with targeted advertising.
Could Chrome Remain Free Without Google?
Chrome’s intrinsic value is enormous, it provides seamless access to Google’s search engine and services. If sold, the new owner might look for ways to recoup their investment, which could include introducing a fee for using Chrome or monetizing it through ads. Either move could diminish its appeal, as Chrome has always been free under Google.
Additionally, Chrome’s integration with Google Search and other services might become technically challenging or restricted under new ownership, making it less attractive to users and potentially reducing its functionality.
Google is uniquely positioned to innovate Chrome continually, something a new owner might struggle to replicate. As Google’s VP of Regulatory Affairs Lee-Anne Mulholland noted, few companies would have the resources or incentives to maintain the same level of open-source investment as Google does.
The Privacy Problem
If the DOJ succeeds in forcing Google to divest Chrome, the biggest impact would likely be on Google Search. Testimony in the antitrust case has shown how Google has built barriers around its search engine. Google argued that its ecosystem design creates a strong incentive for partners not to disrupt the status quo.
The DOJ proposes sharing ad and user data with competitors to level the playing field, but Google warns that such measures could pose significant privacy and security risks. A similar mishap occurred when AOL inadvertently leaked search data for over half a million users. The potential misuse of shared data could lead to privacy breaches, aggressive advertising, or even malicious profiling.
Will Chrome Survive Without Google?
Selling Chrome could pose an existential challenge for the browser. The situation mirrors the “browser wars” of the past, when Microsoft’s Internet Explorer crushed Netscape, only for Mozilla to emerge from the ashes to develop Firefox. However, even Firefox relies on financial support from Google, highlighting how difficult it might be for Chrome to thrive independently.
If Chrome is sold, the open-source Chromium project, which powers browsers like Microsoft Edge, Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi – will still rely on Google’s development work. This could complicate efforts by a new owner to innovate without Google’s involvement.
More Choice, Lower Quality?
For any new owner, the main challenge will be maintaining Chrome’s competitiveness in usability and features. Currently, Chrome serves as a gateway not just to Google Search but to other services like Gmail, Maps, and Workspace. Decoupling Chrome from this ecosystem might undermine its appeal to users.
Even if Chrome is sold, Google could quickly pivot by enhancing other applications to serve as access points to its search engine and services, reducing the impact of losing Chrome.
Ultimately, the sale of Chrome might open the door to more competition, but it could also lead to reduced functionality, privacy concerns, and higher costs for users in the short term.
