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5h ago

Judge Spares Chrome and Android, Orders Google To End Exclusive Defaults and Share Search Data

The ruling emphasizes targeted remedies over divestiture to rebalance default-placement incentives, with limited rival access to search data under court guardrails.

Google said the proposals would go far beyond what was legally justified
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Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta rejected forced divestitures of Chrome and Android, finding prosecutors overreached in seeking breakups.
  • Google is barred from exclusive default-distribution agreements for Search, Chrome, Google Assistant and Gemini, though non‑exclusive placement payments can continue.
  • The order requires limited sharing of search-related data with qualified competitors under protections, excluding ad-related data and leaving rivals to build their own systems.
  • Parties must submit a revised final judgment by September 10, with remedies taking effect about 60 days after entry, running six years under a technical oversight committee.
  • Google has indicated it will appeal, and Alphabet shares rose roughly 7–8% in after-hours trading as partners like Apple saw revenue-sharing arrangements preserved.