Just recently, Google has been on the receiving end, and it is not for a new product release. The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) recently prevailed in a lawsuit against Google for some murky business actions—er, they term as anticompetitive. Now, the US is in a process of searching for the solution to the problem. And when we say ‘fix,’ they really do mean that they are thinking about unbundling some of the bigger kids in Google like Android and Chrome.
What’s the Fuss All About?
Well, the DOJ has recently drawn some guidelines for Google’s search engine. They more or less would like to prevent Google from leveraging their otherwise innocent spin offs such as Chrome, Play, and Android and so on to enhance its search engine in a monopolistic manner.
One idea being bandied about is to spin off Android or Chrome, and this could mean taking Android or Chrome and making it or them into an entirely new company, or selling it/ them to a rival. While there has been no specific legal standard set on this front, Google believes that is where all of this is being headed.
Why Google is Throwing a Fit
Google’s far from shrinking its voice over this. An official statement came out which, well, let’s just say, they shaded it. They referred to the DOJ recommendations as the drastic measures and went further to call them as a sweeping entity. As Google has said, if it were to ever untangle Chrome from Android, it could be bad for the price of gadgets and the fight for market share with Apple’s iPhone.
And here’s a fun fact: Android accounts for 71% of the smartphones globally while iPhone has about a cool 27%. Android is a little closer to parity in the US at 45%. ”
The AI Factor
If that wasn’t enough, Google also declared some major concerns about AI in a key address. They said that limiting their AI tools is “stifling innovation in America.” This sounds a lot like what Meta (the folks behind Facebook) said in Europe. Currently, the European Union has policies that would bar tech companies from utilizing the data of its citizens to enhance artificial intelligence. Google and other large technology firms are asserting that AI will be important for future evolution of technology despite the fact that some of these AI solutions have experienced… interesting mishaps. For instance, Google’s AI advised people to consume glue and rocks.
But Google is not shrinking away. They even dared writing that Artificial Intelligence is among the most strategic technologies for the future of America.
What’s Next?
It may not be the end of it. Not by a long shot. Litigation is expected to take ages, involving procedural maneuver and appellant’s and cross appellant’s case and the next rounds of court. Getting Google off things like mobile phones, web browsers and online advertising is going to be as easy as decoupling cooked spaghetti.
But one thing is sure, I can bet my life that how it will happen, it will transform not only Google, but all of us. Whatever side you’re on, Android or iPhone, the decisions made here have implications on how we use our gadgets and navigate the world wide web.
