As many are aware, Google is currently undergoing a remedies trial following its defeat in a search dominance case last year. The latest developments from the trial reveal that Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, has taken the stand and expressed significant concerns regarding the implications of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) proposed antitrust remedies, claiming they could lead to the destruction of Google Search. One of the primary objectives of the DOJ is to have Google divest from Chrome, as this is seen as a critical step in dismantling Google’s search monopoly.

This potential move has generated considerable interest, attracting attention from various entities, including OpenAI and Yahoo. Additionally, the DOJ is seeking to restrict Google from forming search engine agreements like the one it currently maintains with Apple. They also want Google to share essential search data with competitors at minimal costs, which includes details on ranking search results and understanding user queries.

Pichai vehemently argued that these remedies would significantly undermine Google Search’s viability. According to reports, he indicated that if Google is forced to share its data, the company would likely reduce its investment in search technology and innovation. He stated, “The combination of all the remedies makes it unviable to invest in R&D the way we have for the past three decades.”

Furthermore, Pichai referred to the data-sharing requirement as a “de facto divestiture” of Google’s intellectual property, allowing competitors to reverse engineer its technology stack.

He described these demands as “extraordinary” and “far-reaching.” In the context of these changes, Google desires to maintain the ability to form deals like the one with Apple, emphasizing that such agreements would remain non-exclusive and subject to annual renegotiation. As the trial continues, and Judge Amit Mehta is expected to deliver a decision by August, Google has indicated it will appeal.

The resolution of this case could take considerable time, especially with this possibility on the table.