Alphabet’s Google has proposed adjustments to its revenue-sharing agreements as part of an ongoing effort to address antitrust concerns over its dominance in the online search market. The recommendations include limiting agreements with companies like Apple, which set Google as the default search engine on their devices and browsers.
The proposals come in response to a ruling by US District Judge Amit Mehta in August, which found that Google had unlawfully suppressed competition in the search market—a decision Google plans to appeal.
In a legal filing submitted on Friday, Google outlined potential remedies it believes would balance competition while preserving its business model. Key suggestions include:
- Allowing different default search engines to be assigned to various platforms and browsing modes.
- Permitting partners to change their default search provider at least once every 12 months.
These proposals differ significantly from the more stringent measures suggested by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) in October. DOJ lawyers urged Judge Mehta to prohibit Google from entering revenue-sharing agreements altogether and to force the company to divest Chrome, the leading web browser globally.
Google’s search engine currently accounts for about 90% of all online searches worldwide, according to Statcounter. In its statement, Google criticized the DOJ’s remedies as “overbroad” and warned that even its own suggested measures could negatively impact its partners.
The decision on remedies will be a critical phase of the case, with Judge Mehta expected to rule by August 2024 following a trial.
