A US federal judge has ruled that Google need not sell its Chrome web browser but must share search data with competitors and is prohibited from entering exclusive contracts, following a protracted legal battle over its dominance in online search. The case, decided by District Judge Amit Mehta, focused on Google’s position as the default search engine on its own products, such as Android and Chrome, and on devices manufactured by companies like Apple, Samsung, and Motorola.
The US Department of Justice had demanded the sale of Chrome, but Mehta deemed divestitures inappropriate, also sparing Google’s Android operating system, which powers most global smartphones. Google hailed the ruling as a victory, attributing it partly to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), which it claims has intensified competition by offering consumers more ways to access information. The company has denied wrongdoing since charges were filed in 2020, asserting its market dominance stems from a superior search engine preferred by consumers.
Last year, Mehta ruled that Google employed unfair tactics to establish and maintain a monopoly in online search, breaching US law. However, he rejected a Chrome sell-off, calling it a “poor fit.” The ruling allows Google to continue paying for default placement but bans exclusive deals for Google Search, Chrome, Google Assistant, or the Gemini app. This enables phone manufacturers to pre-load or promote rival search engines, browsers, or AI assistants. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, saw its shares surge by over 8% post-ruling.
Analyst Gene Munster called it “good news for big tech,” noting Apple benefits from annually renegotiated search deals. However, competitor DuckDuckGo argued the ruling fails to sufficiently address Google’s illegal practices, leaving consumers disadvantaged.
Google faces another trial this month over its online advertising technology monopoly, indicating ongoing legal challenges for the tech giant.
