A federal judge has ruled that Google will not be forced to sell its Chrome browser but must share valuable search data with competitors. The decision, delivered by Judge Amit Mehta, concludes a years-long antitrust case focused on Google’s dominance in the online search market.While the judge found Google had unlawfully maintained a monopoly, he determined a forced sale of Chrome was an unsuitable remedy. Instead, the order prohibits Google from entering exclusive agreements that make its search engine the default on devices and browsers. It must also provide rivals with access to its search data.
The ruling was seen as a victory for Google and its parent company, Alphabet, whose shares rose following the news. Analysts noted the decision was less severe than the market anticipated and also benefits partners like Apple. Google has stated it plans to appeal the ruling, which could delay implementation for years. The company still faces another major antitrust trial concerning its online advertising practices later this month.
