Google Chrome Sell Off Will Significantly Impact Business, Says CEO Sundar Pichai

Google CEO Sundar Pichai told a federal judge on Wednesday that the US government’s proposal to sell off its search engine Chrome can significantly impact the tech giant’s business. Pichai highlighted that the government’s proposal would discourage Google from investing in newer technology, especially if it is asked to share the benefits with its competitors in exchange for a minimal fee. 

“The combination of all the remedies, I think, makes it unviable to invest in the R&D the way we have for the past three decades, to continue to innovate and build Google search,” said Pichai, according to the New York Times.

He made the statement as the US District Court began hearing the case in which Google was found guilty of maintaining a search monopoly last year, to decide remedies to address the tech giant’s illegal business practice. The three-week hearing reportedly aims to rebalance the power dynamic in Silicon Valley and ensure competition. The case against Google search engine is the first of its kind initiated by the US government to restrict the tech giant’s stronghold over online information and business space. 

The US government’s aggressive proposal for the tech giant comes at a time when the American tech industry is racing to develop internet products fueled by the emergence of artificial intelligence.