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DOJ Pushes For Google To Divest Chrome In Latest Antitrust Salvo

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 20, 2024

In a seismic shift for the tech industry, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is gearing up to request a federal court to compel Google to sell off its Chrome web browser. This dramatic move, reported by Bloomberg, marks a critical escalation in the ongoing antitrust battle against the search giant.

Chrome Divestiture: A Game-Changing Proposal

The DOJ’s recommendation to Federal Judge Amit Mehta, who previously ruled on Google’s search monopoly, aims to force the sale of Chrome – a cornerstone of Google’s multi-billion dollar advertising empire. This proposal comes after a summer 2024 ruling that found Google guilty of illegally maintaining a monopoly in the search market.

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Beyond Browser Sales: Additional Measures on the Table

Justice Department officials are not stopping at Chrome’s sale. They’re also pushing for Google to license Chrome’s data and results while giving websites enhanced control over their content’s use in Google’s AI products. These measures are designed to create a more competitive digital landscape.

Chrome’s Dominance by the Numbers

Chrome’s market supremacy is stark: it commands a whopping 66.7% of the browser market share, dwarfing competitors like Safari (18%), Edge (5%), and Firefox (3%). This dominance underscores the browser’s critical role in Google’s ecosystem.

The Financial Stakes

The potential sale of Chrome could significantly impact Google’s bottom line. Last quarter alone, Google’s core advertising business, deeply intertwined with Chrome, generated $65.9 billion – a substantial portion of the company’s $88.3 billion total revenue.

A Long Road Ahead

This latest development is part of a broader antitrust saga. Judge Mehta’s August ruling found Google guilty of anti-competitive practices through exclusive distribution agreements and inflated ad pricing. As Google prepares to appeal, the court is set to consider the DOJ’s proposed changes in April 2025, with a final decision expected by August 2025.

As this legal battle unfolds, the tech world watches with bated breath, potentially reshaping the digital landscape and setting new precedents for tech industry regulation.

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Jack Dorsey’s Bluetooth Experiment: Bitchat’s Promise and Pitfalls

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 30, 2025

Introduction

Twitter and Block founder Jack Dorsey is once again making headlines with the launch of Bitchat, a Bluetooth-enabled messaging app designed for local communication even in the absence of traditional connectivity. Developed over a single weekend in early July, Bitchat aims to redefine real-time interaction through decentralized networks.

Innovative Messaging Approach

Bitchat leverages Bluetooth mesh networks to allow users to send messages within a roughly 100-meter radius. This design ensures that individuals can communicate in environments where cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity falter, such as large-scale festivals or post-disaster scenarios. By bypassing traditional infrastructures, the app aligns with trends observed in other discreet messaging platforms like Bridgefy, which has gained prominence during critical protests and emergencies worldwide.

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Security Concerns and Impersonation Risks

Although marketed as a secure and private messaging platform, early reviews have raised significant concerns. Security expert Alex Radocea has highlighted potential vulnerabilities within the app’s framework, particularly its susceptibility to impersonation—a flaw that undermines its foundational claim of an inherently secure protocol. Dorsey has acknowledged that Bitchat lacks an external security review, suggesting that undiscovered vulnerabilities may compromise the integrity of its communications.

The Challenge Of Fakes On Multiple Platforms

Bitchat is currently available on the iOS App Store and can be manually installed on Android via GitHub. However, the proliferation of counterfeit versions on the Google Play store underscores an additional challenge. These fake applications, masquerading as the legitimate app, have attracted significant downloads, complicating the landscape and necessitating caution among users. Dorsey’s advisory on social media to “beware of fakes” underscores the ongoing issue of digital authenticity in software distribution.

Conclusion

Bitchat represents a bold, experimental foray into decentralized communication, marrying cutting-edge Bluetooth technology with the vision of a secure messaging platform. Yet, as with many pioneering technologies, Bitchat must navigate critical challenges—from ensuring robust security to combating fraudulent imitations—if it is to realize its full potential in an increasingly interconnected world.