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Google’s Counteroffer to Government Seeks to Unbundle Android Apps
In a move aimed at addressing concerns over its search monopoly, Google has proposed a counteroffer to the US Department of Justice (DOJ) that involves unbundling certain Android apps. The company’s response, filed late Friday night, rejects the DOJ’s initial proposal to sell off Chrome and instead focuses on altering its business practices in the search engine market.
According to the filing, Google’s proposed remedies are centered around addressing its distribution contracts with Apple and Mozilla for their browsers, as well as licensing agreements with Android phone manufacturers and wireless carriers. The company’s regulatory VP, Lee-Anne Mulholland, wrote a blog post stating that “this was a decision about our search distribution contracts, so our proposed remedies are directed to that.”
Google’s counteroffer would block the company from entering into deals that link licenses for Chrome, Search, and Google Play with placement or preinstallation of its other apps. The proposal would also allow for multiple deals across different platforms or browsing modes and require the ability to revisit these agreements at least once a year.
The move is seen as an attempt by Google to avoid breaking off major assets such as Chrome or Android, but instead address the issues surrounding its dominance in the search engine market. Google still plans to appeal Judge Amit Mehta’s ruling that deemed the company a monopolist and acted to maintain that position.
In a statement, Google said it will submit a revised proposal on March 7th ahead of a two-week trial over the issue set for April.
Source: www.theverge.com
