Washington, D.C. – USA – In a major antitrust decision, a U.S. court has ruled that Google can continue its Chrome browser operations and maintain its lucrative search engine agreement with Apple, valued at over $20 billion annually. However, the tech giant has been ordered to share certain search data with competitors to promote a more competitive online search market.
The ruling follows a lengthy legal battle initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice, which accused Google of monopolistic practices in online search and advertising. While the court acknowledged Google’s dominant position, it stopped short of imposing drastic measures such as forcing the company to divest Chrome or Android assets.
Instead, the court emphasized moderate remedies aimed at balancing competition with business continuity. Google will continue revenue-sharing arrangements with partners like Apple and Mozilla, which are critical to their business models. At the same time, the mandated data-sharing measures are expected to provide competitors with better access to search information, fostering a more level playing field.
Google has expressed concerns about user privacy but is expected to comply with the court order. Industry analysts say the ruling represents a partial win for both Google and Apple, as it preserves their existing agreements while addressing competition concerns. The case is likely to advance to higher courts, potentially shaping the future of antitrust enforcement in the tech sector.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.