Google Wins Antitrust Case! U.S. Court Spares Chrome Sale – Alphabet Stock Soars

A U.S. court has issued a landmark ruling in the country’s biggest antitrust case in 30 years, ordering Google to share search data with competitors but stopping short of forcing it to divest Chrome or Android. The lighter-than-expected penalty boosted market confidence, sending Alphabet shares up more than 8% in after-hours trading.

Lighter-than-expected ruling

Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google is prohibited from exclusive distribution agreements but can continue paying partners, such as the $20 billion a year deal with Apple to keep Google Search as the iPhone’s default. The court reasoned that forcing a divestiture of Chrome or Android would go beyond the case’s scope and could harm consumers and partners.

Google’s response

Google voiced concerns over the mandated data-sharing, warning it may affect user privacy. However, the company welcomed the court’s recognition that selling Chrome or Android is not an appropriate remedy, while stressing that AI has already reshaped the search industry.

Market reaction

Analysts hailed the ruling as a strategic win for Google. Shares of Alphabet jumped 8.7% in after-hours trading, while Apple also gained 4.3% as it continues to benefit from Google’s payments for default search placement.

Implications for Big Tech

The ruling is one of the most influential tech decisions in over 25 years and could set a precedent for future antitrust cases involving Meta, Amazon, and Apple, especially regarding data-sharing requirements and default search payment arrangements.

03 Sep 2025By Trendpro