If Android breaks away from Google, it may no longer be free to use; especially after the Antitrust trial
Is Google a monopolist? Probably because most users encounter its technologies daily, from Android phones to the popular search engine.
After a lawsuit against Epic Games, another one is queued and it’s about Google’s alleged illegal behavior. Lawyers of the US Department of Justice proposed solutions to restore competition to the search engine market.
In simple terms, the solutions suggest “breaking apart” a connection between Chrome, Android, and Google Play. It’s Google Search integrated into these services.
If the court agrees, it means Google will be forced to sell parts of its business, including those three. When that happens, your data might be at risk and the already fragmented universe of Android might worsen.
According to Google, the risk of unintended consequences includes:
- Sharing your search queries, clicks, and results with competitors, risking your privacy and security.
- Making Android and Chrome premium if new owners charge consumers due to the high maintenance and development costs.
- Restricting easy accessibility of those who simply want to search relevant information if Google Search is hampered by unreasonable restrictions.
Google said that the proposed changes are being considered by the US DOJ. For consumers, if Android is obtained by another private company, it may become a closed-source platform, much like iOS.
While that may lead to robust privacy and security, we can say goodbye to customization and freedom originally delivered by Android. If not that, expect Android phones to become pricier than ever.
Are you willing to pay more to use Android and Chrome? Will this give HarmonyOS a major global boost?
