Google Fights Back in Chrome Antitrust Battle: Why It Says No One Else Can Run Its Browser

In the heart of Washington, Google is mounting a defense that could redefine the future of internet browsing. As the U.S. Department of Justice presses forward with antitrust actions against the tech titan, Google has drawn a firm line in the sand: Chrome, its web browser used by billions, is inseparable from the larger Google ecosystem. The company argues that its browser isn’t just a product — it’s a manifestation of nearly two decades of engineering, infrastructure, and integration across multiple Alphabet Inc. services. Any attempt to untangle it, Google claims, would be not only impractical but potentially impossible.

The implications of this legal battle are massive. Not only is Google’s dominant position in the browser market under scrutiny, but remedies could include the forced sale of Chrome or new limitations on default search engine deals and AI product integration. With Chrome commanding 66% of the global browser market and AI integration growing rapidly, the court’s decisions could alter the balance of power in the browser and search engine wars for years to come.

Google’s Antitrust Defense: Why Chrome Is “Irreplaceable”

Google’s Position:

Core Functionality: Key features like safe browsing and password compromise alerts depend on Google’s infrastructure. Tabriz emphasized that these functionalities are tied into services that go far beyond the browser’s code.

Justice Department’s Argument: The DOJ is seeking structural remedies for Google’s monopolistic behavior in search, including possibly forcing the company to sell Chrome and end paid search default deals that affect competitors’ visibility.

Market Share & Control: Chrome commands 66% of the browser market. Despite its foundation in the open-source Chromium Project, Chrome includes proprietary enhancements under Google’s exclusive control.

AI Integration Strategy: Google is increasingly merging Chrome with AI tools. While the browser supports external extensions like ChatGPT and Perplexity, Gemini is being prioritized as the default AI assistant. Google aims to transform Chrome into an “agentic browser” capable of automating user tasks.

Future Vision: Internal documents point to a future where Chrome becomes a central AI hub, integrating with Gemini and supporting other AI agents for a broad range of automated tasks across web browsing.

Potential Divestiture Value: DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg suggested Chrome could sell for over \$50 billion, noting its massive user base and strategic value. This number dwarfs earlier estimates and highlights the browser’s significance.

Competitive Interest: Companies like OpenAI and Perplexity have shown interest in acquiring Chrome if regulators force a sale, but few could afford such a price tag.

Alphabet’s Financial Strength: The company recently reported a 12% revenue jump to \$90.2 billion and a \$34.5 billion profit, fueled in large part by its AI and cloud businesses.

What Undercode Say:

This courtroom drama underscores more than just a corporate dispute — it reflects a broader tension between innovation, integration, and monopolistic power. Google’s argument, while technically plausible, is also strategically clever. By positioning Chrome as a tightly woven part of a larger digital fabric, it seeks to make regulatory intervention seem destructive rather than corrective.

From a technological standpoint, Chrome is exceptional in its depth of integration with Google services — particularly security features and cloud-synced intelligence like safe browsing, credential leak detection, and real-time performance optimization. It’s true that replicating these functions would require access not just to Chrome’s code, but to Google’s sprawling backend systems, datasets, and compute infrastructure.

But this is exactly the point of the DOJ’s concern: Google has used its ecosystem advantage not only to enhance the browser but also to secure dominance, making it near-impossible for competitors to match its performance without similar integrations. This raises serious antitrust flags. Features become a moat, and innovation elsewhere becomes stifled.

On the AI front, Google is clearly racing ahead. The transformation of Chrome into an “agentic browser” — one that anticipates user needs, automates workflows, and operates with embedded AI agents — represents the next evolution in web experiences. But it also raises questions: Should such a future be monopolized by one company? Is a Chrome-Gemini fusion the future we want, or one we’re being funneled into due to lack of viable alternatives?

The valuation figures thrown around — \$50 billion or more — show just how critical Chrome is to the modern internet experience. Google knows this. Its strategic integration across search, AI, and browser layers isn’t accidental; it’s a masterclass in platform control. But if regulation forces Chrome onto the open market, it could open a new chapter in browser innovation.

The current model — where a single company controls the code, the infrastructure, and the AI — is inherently exclusionary. If Chrome were independent, innovation could flourish in unforeseen directions. AI integrations from different vendors, more privacy-centric alternatives, and open competition could transform browsing once again.

Ultimately, this case

Fact Checker Results:

Claim: Chrome is irreplaceable due to Google infrastructure.

Verdict: Partly True — deeply integrated, but alternatives could replicate most functions with access and time.

Claim: Chrome could sell for over $50 billion.

Verdict: Speculative but Plausible — aligns with user base, data potential, and strategic value.

Claim: AI agents will become central to browsing.

Verdict: Likely — trends in browser development and enterprise tools support this trajectory.

Prediction:

If the court mandates a breakup or divestiture of Chrome, expect a flurry of activity from tech giants looking to capitalize. Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and OpenAI could all see Chrome as a crown jewel for their ecosystems. Meanwhile, if Google retains Chrome, expect deeper AI integration, exclusive Gemini features, and even more lock-in across devices and services.

The browser landscape is poised for its most dramatic transformation in a decade. Whether through forced competition or accelerated innovation, Chrome’s role as a passive window into the web is over. It’s becoming the web’s first intelligent gateway — and the world is watching who gets to hold the keys.