Google scores a win as Judge rules it will will not have to sell Chrome browser

Google

DC District Court Judge Amit Mehta on Tuesday issued his long-awaited remedies order in the government’s case against Google, over a year after finding the company had violated the Sherman Antitrust Act. While the ruling marks the most significant antitrust judgment against a tech giant since the Microsoft case of the 1990s, it falls short of the dramatic break-up measures sought by the Justice Department.

The DOJ had argued that Google’s Chrome browser should be sold off, describing it as a key gateway where the company reinforces its dominance by defaulting to its own search engine. But Mehta rejected the proposal, writing in his 230-page opinion that a divestiture would be “messy, highly risky,” and ultimately harm consumers. Chrome, he noted, is not a standalone business but deeply reliant on Google’s infrastructure.

Instead, Mehta ordered Google to share certain search data with rivals to help them compete and barred exclusive distribution deals that could choke off competition. However, he allowed Google to continue paying companies like Apple and Mozilla to make its search the default on their browsers and devices, despite acknowledging such payments help entrench its power.

Critics were quick to pounce. The American Economic Liberties Project branded the ruling “cowardice,” saying it lets Google keep the spoils of its monopoly. Advocates argue that without stronger remedies, little will change in the search market.

For now, Google has avoided the DOJ’s most punishing proposals. But the case is far from over: the company can now appeal the original finding that it is an illegal monopolist, potentially dragging the fight to the Supreme Court.