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Chrome divestiture technically feasible according to new report

New research addresses key technical questions about Google's browser separation.

Luis Rijo

• 4 min read
Chrome browser separation from Google's ecosystem shown through technical engineering blueprint with data flow connections.
Chrome browser separation from Google's ecosystem shown through technical engineering blueprint with data flow connections.

A comprehensive technical assessment released July 1, 2025, demonstrates that divesting Google Chrome is technically feasible, addressing critical engineering questions that emerged during the remedies phase of US v. Google. According to the Knight-Georgetown Institute, an independent Chrome browser could successfully compete with major rivals while serving four billion existing users.

The report fills knowledge gaps that remained muddled after the April-May 2025 remedies trial. Key technical questions about separating Chrome from Google's infrastructure had left uncertainty around the proposed antitrust remedy's viability. Judge Amit Mehta expects to rule on proposed remedies by August 2025.

Summary

Who: Knight-Georgetown Institute researchers Eric Rescorla and Alissa Cooper conducted the technical assessment addressing Google Chrome divestiture feasibility.

What: Comprehensive engineering analysis demonstrates that separating Chrome from Google is technically feasible, with independent browser operations capable of serving four billion users competitively.

When: The report was released July 1, 2025, following the April-May 2025 remedies trial that left key technical questions unanswered about Chrome separation.

Where: The research addresses the US v. Google antitrust case pending before Judge Amit Mehta in Washington D.C. federal district court.

Why: Technical feasibility questions emerged during the remedies trial phase, with uncertainty about whether Chrome could successfully operate independently from Google's infrastructure and engineering resources.

Engineering challenges have solutions

According to the research, Google-operated services in Chrome can be rebuilt or replaced with reasonable engineering investment. Services including Safe Browsing, data syncing, and software updates would remain viable for new ownership to maintain or recreate. The report notes that independent browsers already operate many of these services, providing engineering blueprints for implementation.

"Chrome could continue to deliver a high-quality, secure browser at a global scale on par with competitors like Edge and Firefox," according to the report's key findings. Proprietary Google software components supporting audio and video streaming could be replaced through available licensing models and proven market alternatives.

The assessment identifies three service categories: Core Services required for competitive browsers, Operational Services necessary for Chrome's current scale, and Ancillary Services that are Google-specific or optional. Each category presents different technical challenges and transition requirements.

Talent retention crucial for success

The analysis emphasizes that necessary engineering talent exists both inside and outside Google. Many engineers have previously moved between browser vendors successfully. However, the new Chrome owner would need focused talent retention and recruitment strategies, offering competitive compensation and compelling mission alignment.

According to the research, Google currently employs approximately 1,000 engineers contributing to Chromium. While this represents significant specialized expertise, the report notes that Mozilla maintains Firefox with roughly 500 total staff. The broader software industry employs over 1.5 million developers across the United States.

"The required engineering expertise exists both inside and outside Google, with many engineers having previously moved from one browser vendor to another," the report states. Success would depend on offering attractive compensation packages and articulating a vision broader than single product development.

Chromium governance requires restructuring

The divestiture should include Chromium, the open-source web browser project underlying Chrome, according to the assessment. This would ensure Chromium remains publicly accessible while allowing flexibility to determine new governance structures. The research emphasizes removing Google's decision-making authority over the project.

Under proposed conditions, Chrome's new owner could foster Chromium's continued development alongside the broader industry. The report examines governance models similar to Linux operating system or Python programming language approaches. Strong line-of-business restrictions would prevent Google from reentering the browser market for 5-10 years.

According to the analysis, existing Chromium-based browsers demonstrate independent operation feasibility. Microsoft Edge, Brave, Opera, and others successfully compete using combinations of open-source Chromium code, independent proprietary services, and third-party infrastructure.

Transition planning addresses user migration

User transition complexity represents a solvable engineering challenge, according to the research. The court would need ensuring Google provides relevant technical documentation and software source code to bootstrap new operations. These steps align with established norms for large-scale software transitions.

Software update mechanisms present immediate priorities. New users downloading Chrome would require redirection to new ownership pages. Existing users need seamless updates through modified Omaha systems. Both measures would require extended implementation periods, potentially years for complete user base transition.

According to the assessment, data migration falls into local device storage and synced cloud data categories. Browser data stored locally can be automatically imported during updates. Cloud-synced data requires either client-side transfers or server-to-server migrations through Google cooperation.

Market implications for competition

The research addresses broader competitive implications beyond technical feasibility. Current browser market dynamics already demonstrate independent operation possibilities. Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari operate entirely independently with different browser engines, driving major web innovations despite significantly fewer resources than Google.

Previous analysis by PPC Land highlighted how Chrome's separation could reshape digital advertising landscapes. Industry experts warned that established paid search strategies could become obsolete as market fragmentation increases.

The Knight-Georgetown Institute report concludes that divestiture success depends on court-imposed guardrails preventing Google from undermining remedies while promoting browser ecosystem competition. This technical analysis provides crucial foundation for ongoing antitrust proceedings targeting Google's search monopoly.

According to the research, Chrome's new owner could deliver competitive browser functionality on reasonable timelines. With appropriate court-ordered transition frameworks and access to existing technologies, separated Chrome operations remain technically achievable under defined feasibility standards.

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