Google is currently embroiled in a remedies trial following a court defeat last year regarding its search monopoly. Each day brings new information from the courtroom, with Google recently asserting that no other company could effectively manage its Chrome browser. The company cites the intricate service integrations that underpin Chrome, arguing that separation from these services would not be feasible.

The potential breakup of Google has been a topic of discussion during this trial, with the sale of Chrome being frequently mentioned. Several companies, including OpenAI, Perplexity, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo, have expressed interest in acquiring the browser. This indicates a significant market interest in Chrome’s capabilities and potential.

Google maintains that Chrome is not merely a browser but a reflection of 17 years of development and integration between various services. Parisa Tabriz, the General Manager of Chrome, emphasized during the trial that disentangling these services would be an unprecedented challenge. For instance, essential features such as safe browsing and password breach alerts rely directly on Google’s infrastructure and expertise.

Tabriz warned that if a sale occurs, these critical services might cease to function properly. In contrast, a Justice Department expert, James Mickens, has voiced a differing opinion. As a computer science professor at Harvard, Mickens argues that the technical aspects of separating Chrome from Google are manageable and that ownership transfer could be achieved without significant disruption.

As the trial progresses, the possibility of Google having to sell Chrome is increasingly likely. Analysts predict that if forced, the sale could reach upwards of $50 billion. With approximately two weeks remaining in the trial, the final decision remains uncertain, and the outcome could reshape Google’s future significantly.