The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has backed the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) proposal requiring Google to share its search data with competitors. The FTC emphasized that the proposal includes necessary privacy protections. The effort aims to address Google’s monopolistic dominance in the online search market, which, as of April 2025, accounts for 90% of global searches, according to Statcounter.
Under the DOJ’s proposal, Google would need to share specific parts of its search index, user, and ad data with its competitors for a limited time, ensuring that proper security and privacy measures are in place. The FTC supports this resolution, noting that the changes would open up markets that have long been closed due to Google’s illegal market control. They view the DOJ’s proposed remedy as a way to safeguard user privacy while promoting competition in a monopolized sector.
The DOJ’s proposal also calls for a compliance committee to oversee the remedy’s implementation. Furthermore, the DOJ urges the court to compel Google to sell off its Chrome browser and stop paying other companies, like Apple, to keep Google as the default search engine. These changes aim to challenge Google’s dominance and enhance privacy protection, benefiting American citizens.
Katherine White, Deputy Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, expressed support for the privacy measures proposed by the DOJ, aligning them with similar safeguards the FTC has required in the past. The DOJ’s plan intends to tackle privacy concerns while increasing competition, pressing Google to improve its data protection practices.
TechRadar Pro has reached out to Google for comment regarding the ongoing legal proceedings and updates on the proposed remedies.
