Imagine trying to choose between apples and oranges at the store, but every time you pick an apple, the store starts selling only apples. That's kind of what's happening with Google and its search engine, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). They're suggesting some big changes to make sure smaller search engines have a fair chance.

One idea is to make Google loosen its grip on deals with big players like Apple and Samsung. These deals often mean Google's search engine shows up as the default option on devices, making it hard for other search engines to compete. The DOJ thinks a simple screen could pop up, letting users choose their search engine.

Google's not too happy about these suggestions. They say it's just about a few contracts, but the DOJ sees a bigger picture. They want Google to share data and make sure other search engines can use its AI features, so everyone has a fair shot.

This doesn't mean Google will be split in half anytime soon—there's still a lot of back and forth. And even if Google does have to change, it might just be those special deals with big names.

It's a complex game, but the end goal is simple: to make sure everyone can choose their favorite search engine, just like picking between apples and oranges.

Google and the DOJ: A Search for Fairness in Tech

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