Google Gets To Keep Chrome But Is Barred From Exclusive Search Deals, Judge Rules (cnbc.com)
- Reference: 0178982530
- News link: https://yro.slashdot.org/story/25/09/02/2119208/google-gets-to-keep-chrome-but-is-barred-from-exclusive-search-deals-judge-rules
- Source link: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/02/google-antitrust-search-ruling.html
> U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled against the most severe consequences that were proposed by the U.S. Department of Justice, including selling off its Chrome browser, which provides data that helps its advertising business deliver targeted ads. "Google will not be required to divest Chrome; nor will the court include a contingent divestiture of the Android operating system in the final judgment," the decision stated. "Plaintiffs overreached in seeking forced divesture of these key assets, which Google did not use to effect any illegal restraints."
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> The company can make payments to preload products, but it cannot have exclusive contracts, the decision stated. The DOJ asked Google to stop the practice of "compelled syndication," which refers to the practice of making certain deals with companies to ensure its search engine remains the default choice in browsers and smartphones. [...] The judge ordered the parties to meet by September 10th for the final judgement.
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> "Google will not be barred from making payments or offering other consideration to distribution partners for preloading or placement of Google Search, Chrome, or its GenAI products. Cutting off payments from Google almost certainly will impose substantial -- in some cases, crippling -- downstream harms to distribution partners, related markets, and consumers, which counsels against a broad payment ban." [...] Google said it will appeal the ruling, which would delay any potential penalties. Mehta ruled Tuesday that Google will have to make available certain search index data and user interaction data though "not ads data." The court narrowed the datasets Google will be required to share and said they must occur on "ordinary commercial terms that are consistent with Google's current syndication services."
[1] https://tech.slashdot.org/story/24/08/05/1859251/google-loses-doj-antitrust-suit-over-search
[2] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/02/google-antitrust-search-ruling.html
How will Firefox survive? (Score:2)
Google is the only way they make money
It's a meaningless concession (Score:2)
But I'm surprised they even had a meaningless concession.
I mean I guess Yahoo can pay Apple or something to be there default search. But I think most people just end up switching it back I know I do.
There's good reason to use duck duck Go but I don't think they have the deep pockets to pay off Apple. And the search engine to do are frankly inferior to Google.
Monopoly (Score:2)
It's interesting that the browser world tend to move towards monopoly over time.
We have software bundling being a factor - as with Internet Explorer, and arguably this was combined with a practice of keeping standards at arm's length - "Works best on IE".
That doesn't seem to have been the case with Chrome...
Isn't this the worst possible outcome? (Score:2)
Isn't this the worst possible outcome?
It probably won't substantially hinder Google. However, will the Firefox deal with Google that's been propping up Firefox all this time still be able to work? Or will Firefox be SOL?
I'm afraid of an ironic result of this being that Chrome becomes that just much more of a monopolistic monoculture as a result of the ruling.
On the same day (Score:2)
They declared they're revoking the right to install software you want on the devices you paid for and own outright.
They will still cheat (Score:1)
I am certain that Google will find ways to skirt this ruling or use loopholes in it to the best of their ability. They can hardly do else.