Imagine if you couldn't choose what browser to use, or which search engine to trust. That's the reality the U.S. Department of Justice is trying to change. They're considering asking a judge to force Google to sell parts of its business. Why? Because Google has been controlling the online search scene for over a decade, leaving rivals with barely any chance to compete.

The Department of Justice thinks it's not enough to just stop Google's control now. They want to make sure Google can't dominate the future, too. So, they're thinking about asking for big changes. For instance, they want Google to open up the data it uses to power its search engine and AI products to competitors. That way, other companies can also have a fair shot.

Google's not happy about this. They think the government is asking for too much. They believe this could hurt American innovation and consumers in the long run. But the judge in the case, Amit Mehta, has already ruled that Google has been acting illegally. He's set a timeline for a trial next spring and plans to make a decision by August 2025.

Google says they'll appeal the ruling, but they have to wait until the judge finalizes the remedy. And that could take a long time—maybe even up to five years, according to a law professor from Cornell University.

Google's Grip on Search: U. S. Mulls Breakup

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