Google keeps Chrome browser, must share data to rivals

A US judge has ruled that Google will not be forced to sell its Chrome browser but must share data with rivals to boost competition in online search.

The decision follows a five-year legal battle between Google parent Alphabet and US antitrust authorities, who previously found Google held an illegal monopoly in search and related ad.

The court said Google could retain its Android operating system and continue agreements with device makers, but must stop entering exclusive contracts that block competitors’ apps.

Judge Amit Mehta noted the rise of AI firms as new competitors, citing rapid investment and growth in the sector.

Google is reviewing the decision and raised concerns about user privacy related to data sharing.

The company has indicated plans to appeal, which could delay enforcement for years.

Shares in Alphabet rose 7.2%, and Apple climbed 3% after the ruling, which also allows Google to keep making sizable payments to Apple to remain the default search engine.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Judges are choosing data sharing over corporate breakups in tech antitrust cases

Judge Mehta’s ruling represents a shift from traditional antitrust remedies toward more targeted interventions that preserve existing business structures.

Rather than forcing Google to sell Chrome or Android—moves that would have fundamentally restructured the company—the court instead required data sharing with competitors while allowing Google to maintain its core distribution channels1.

This approach contrasts with historical tech antitrust cases, where remedies often involved more dramatic structural changes.

By comparison, Google’s stock rose 7.2% in extended trading following this ruling, suggesting investors view data-sharing requirements as far less disruptive than potential breakups1.

The judge acknowledged his approach with “humility,” recognizing the complexity of predicting market dynamics in rapidly evolving tech sectors1.