U.S. Judge issues sealed decision in Google, GOOGL, online search monopoly case

A U.S. court ruling delivered by Judge Amit Mehta largely favored Google, easing fears of a breakup of its search business. The decision allows Google to keep Chrome and Android, as well as its lucrative default search agreements with Apple and others, though the company must share search data with competitors. The judge noted that rapid advances in AI complicated the case, making regulators wary of imposing heavy-handed remedies.

Markets welcomed the outcome: Alphabet stock rose more than 6% after the news, while analysts described the decision as less severe than expected. Google, which pays billions annually to maintain search dominance, retains much of its existing structure—seen as a major win for both the company and its Big Tech peers.

The ruling also reflects the growing challenge regulators face when attempting to police tech giants in industries being reshaped by artificial intelligence. Judge Mehta explicitly acknowledged that the rise of OpenAI and other AI competitors shifted the dynamics of the case, making predictions about the future of digital markets highly uncertain. This recognition may set a precedent for how courts handle antitrust enforcement in rapidly evolving sectors.

For Google, the ability to maintain its search and browser dominance, while avoiding structural remedies such as divestitures, provides stability at a critical time when the company is investing heavily in AI to defend its core business. However, the requirement to share search data with rivals could open the door for smaller players to gain traction, potentially creating new competitive pressures down the line.