Order in the court Google tells Trumps DOJ that forcing a Chrome sale would harm national security Google tries an old argument with a new Justice Department. Ryan Whitwam Mar 5, 2025 1:58 pm | 22 Credit: Getty Images | Josh Edelson Credit: Getty Images | Josh Edelson Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreGoogle is no stranger to antitrust scrutiny, but the walls may be closing in. As the next phase of Google's search trial nears, the company's lawyers have reportedly met with representatives from the US Department of Justice in hopes of heading off a breakup. Google is reportedly pushing the argument that forcing it to spin off parts of the business and limit certain investments would constitute a national security threat.Google's antitrust situation got much worse this past August when it lost the long-running case targeting its search business. With Google branded yet again as a monopolist, the DOJ asked for stiff penalties, seeking to have US District Judge Amit Mehta force Google to sell its popular Chrome browser and end payments for search engine placement with other firms.According to Bloomberg, Google met with the DOJ team last week to make the case for a lighter regulatory touch. Specifically, Google has stepped up its claims that forcing it to spin-off Chrome and limit AI investments could harm US national security, as well as security at the user level."We routinely meet with regulators, including with the DOJ, to discuss this case," says Google's Peter Schottenfels. "As weve publicly said, were concerned the current proposals would harm the American economy and national security."Google refused to provide specifics about how its control of search supports national security. However, it has previously suggested that Android and Chrome would be less secure because Google invests in updates that may not happen as frequently without Google backing.It's not hard to see how splitting up a company that is so foundational to the Internet could have unintended consequences. The sheer scale of Google brings with it some synergies, allowing it to create an interconnected security apparatus across all its productsincluding Chrome. That said, companies don't need to be sprawling Internet behemoths to have functional security. Mozilla's track record with Firefox is no worse than megacorporations like Google.The government's 2024 request also sought to have Google's investment in AI firms curtailed even though this isn't directly related to search. If, like Google, you believe leadership in AI is important to the future of the world, limiting its investments could also affect national security. But in November, Mehta suggested he was open to considering AI remedies because the recent emergence of AI products that are intended to mimic the functionality of search engines is rapidly shifting the search market.This perspective could be more likely to find supporters in the newly AI-obsessed US government with a rapidly changing Department of Justice. However, the DOJ has thus far opposed allowing AI firm Anthropic to participate in the case after it recently tried to intervene. Anthropic has received $3 billion worth of investments from Google, including $1 billion in January.New year, new Justice DepartmentGoogle naturally opposed the government's early remedy proposal, but this happened in November, months before the incoming Trump administration began remaking the DOJ. Since taking office, the new administration has routinely criticized the harsh treatment of US tech giants, taking aim at European Union laws like the Digital Markets Act, which tries to ensure user privacy and competition among so-called "gatekeeper" tech companies like Google.We may get a better idea of how the DOJ wants to proceed later this week when both sides file their final proposals with Mehta. Google already announced its preferred remedy at the tail end of 2024. It's unlikely Google's final version will be any different, but everything is up in the air for the government.Even if current political realities don't affect the DOJ's approach, the department's staffing changes could. Many of the people handling Google's case today are different than they were just a few months ago, so arguments that fell on deaf ears in 2024 could move the needle. Perhaps emphasizing the national security angle will resonate with the newly restaffed DOJ.After both sides have had their say, it will be up to the judge to eventually rule on how Google must adapt its business. This remedy phase should get fully underway in April.Ryan WhitwamSenior Technology ReporterRyan WhitwamSenior Technology Reporter Ryan Whitwam is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering the ways Google, AI, and mobile technology continue to change the world. Over his 20-year career, he's written for Android Police, ExtremeTech, Wirecutter, NY Times, and more. He has reviewed more phones than most people will ever own. You can follow him on Bluesky, where you will see photos of his dozens of mechanical keyboards. 22 Comments