Tue, 02 Sep 2025

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 Google avoids break-up but must share data with rivals

A case over the US tech giant's dominance in search allows it to hang on to its Chrome web browser.

* A US federal judge has ordered Google to share information with competitors, but will not have to sell its Chrome web browser.
* Google's dominance in online search was at issue in a years-long court battle, but the company can keep Chrome.
* The tech giant must now stop having exclusive contracts and share search data with rivals.
* Google had proposed less drastic solutions, such as limiting revenue-sharing agreements with firms like Apple.
* The judge said a complete sell-off of Chrome was "a poor fit for this case".
* Google will not have to sell its Android operating system, which powers most smartphones.
* Smartphone-makers like Apple and Samsung will benefit from the decision.
* Google can continue paying distributors for default placement, but must renegotiate contracts annually.
* The ruling is seen as a win-win for corporate players involved in the case, including Google and Apple.
* However, Google competitor DuckDuckGo says the order fails to address Google's "illegal behaviour" and consumers will suffer.
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