Google requests US government to avoid breaking up the company
What's the story
Google has urged the US government to rethink its plans of breaking up the tech giant.
According to a Bloomberg report, the company met President Donald Trump's administration last week and advocated against measures that could potentially lead to its disbandment.
The appeal comes in response to two anti-monopoly cases currently pursued by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) against Google - one on search and another on advertising technology.
Remedies proposed
DOJ's remedies for Google's search case
In the search case against Google, the DOJ has proposed a few potential remedies.
These include divesting parts of its business, such as the Chrome web browser, and ending agreements that make it the default search engine on devices like Apple's iPhone.
A Google spokesperson expressed concerns about these proposals, stating that they could harm both "the American economy and national security."
Future proceedings
Upcoming trial and potential policy changes
A trial to determine the suitability of the proposed remedies is set for April, with a final ruling expected in August.
Industry experts say President Trump may reconsider some of the antitrust policies under former President Joe Biden's administration, possibly including efforts to break up Google over its dominance in online search.