US EditionJudge Rules Google Can Retain Chrome but Must End Exclusive Search Deals and Share Data
- On September 2, 2025, Judge Amit Mehta decided that Google is not required to divest its Chrome browser but set forth broad measures aimed at enhancing competitive conditions in the online search market.
- The ruling was based on findings made in August 2024 that Google unlawfully preserved monopolies in search by entering into exclusive distribution contracts worth billions each year with companies like Apple and Samsung.
- Judge Mehta rejected the government's request to divest Chrome, citing risks and substantial harm to partners and consumers if payments from Google were cut off, while still requiring Google to share search data and limit exclusive agreements.
- Google must provide qualified competitors access to search index and user interaction data to improve services, cannot bundle apps like Search or Chrome as conditions for Play Store access, and may continue paying for search placement.
- The decision marks a significant antitrust ruling and suggests ongoing changes to Google's search distribution, while the Biden administration maintains multiple technology antitrust prosecutions involving Google and other major firms.
144 Articles
144 Articles
Good morning! The long-running competitive battle looks to be over for Google – thanks in part to Open AI.
Continued since 2020 by the U.S. Department of Justice, Google has just been condemned to share its research data and no longer sign exclusive contracts. But the firm escapes a forced sale of Chrome.
An American judge rejects Chrome's request for dismantling, while imposing strict measures to rebalance the market in the face of Google's hegemony Google escaped Tuesday's obligation to
Google won’t be forced to sell its Chrome browser, judge rules
A federal judge ruled Tuesday against the U.S. government’s proposal that Google should sell its Chrome web browser to restore competition in online search, saving the tech giant from having to spin off one of its biggest businesses. In the more than 200-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta said forcing Google to divest Chrome went too far and the remedy was a “poor fit for this case.” Since the web browser relies on the tech company’s sy…
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