Google will not be forced to sell its Chrome browser but must share search data with rivals, a US judge ruled.
The decision by District Judge Amit Mehta follows years of courtroom battles over Google’s dominance in online search markets.
The Department of Justice had argued that Google’s position as the default search engine on Android, Chrome and Apple devices created an illegal monopoly. Officials wanted the company to sell Chrome to weaken its power.
Judge Mehta rejected that option, calling it “a poor fit for this case”, but barred exclusive contracts and required Google to share information with competitors.
The ruling means smartphone makers such as Apple, Samsung and Motorola can promote alternative browsers and search engines alongside Google’s own products.
During the trial, it emerged Google paid more than $26bn to Apple, Mozilla and others in 2021 to secure default status. These deals will now have to be renegotiated.
Google welcomed the outcome, saying artificial intelligence had already increased competition in search. “People can easily choose the services they want,” the company said.
Shares in Alphabet, Google’s parent firm, rose more than 8% after the announcement, underlining relief in financial markets. Analysts described the order as less harsh than expected.
Rival DuckDuckGo disagreed, warning consumers would “continue to suffer” from Google’s behaviour.
The ruling is significant, but Google still faces another antitrust trial later this month over advertising technology.
The world’s most used search engine remains under intense legal scrutiny in Washington.
