• Google CEO Sundar Pichai testifies in defense against DOJ's antitrust proposals.
• The DOJ seeks to force Google to divest its Chrome browser and share search data.
• A landmark case that could reshape the internet industry and competition.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai is set to testify in a significant antitrust trial where the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is pushing for an order that would require the company to divest its Chrome web browser and adopt measures to enhance competition in the online search market. This trial is crucial as the outcome could reshape Google’s role as the predominant search engine and alter how millions access information online, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

In Pichai’s testimony, he labeled the DOJ's proposals as a "de facto divestiture" that threatens to undermine Google's core operations, which have been built over decades of investment and innovation. He argued that mandating Google to share search data with competitors would not only harm user privacy but also jeopardize the viability of smaller companies relying on Google's ecosystem, as reported by India Times and NPR.

The DOJ aims to prove that Google maintains its monopoly through significant financial agreements with major corporations like Apple and Samsung for exclusive default placements of its search engine on devices. The government asserts that this practice effectively excludes competitors and seeks to prohibit such contracts, according to Channel News Asia and Reuters.

Pichai emphasized during his court appearance that the ramifications of the DOJ's demands are substantial, asserting that enforcing these recommendations could disrupt innovation in the tech landscape. He highlighted that Google has invested significantly in AI technology, which is tightly integrated with its search operations, further complicating the assertion that its policies stifle competition, as detailed by India Times and NPR.

The trial not only involves Pichai's defense but also encompasses a broader examination of Google's role in the AI market, which prosecutors believe could further entrench its dominance if left unchecked. The outcome of this trial is eagerly anticipated and will likely inform future regulatory actions in the tech industry, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.