US Court Blocks Google Breakup Citing AI Threat, Mandates Data Sharing

In a landmark antitrust ruling, Google avoided being dismantled and was not required to sell its Chrome browser or cease its lucrative search agreements with Apple and Samsung, despite being found to hold a monopoly in the online search market. The judge, Amit Mehta, emphasized that the rise of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT and others has significantly altered the competitive landscape, posing a growing threat to Google's search dominance and influencing the court's decision to allow the market to evolve without severe intervention. While Google must share certain search data with qualified competitors, including AI companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic, exclusive contracts with device manufacturers are prohibited. The ruling acknowledged Google's monopolistic practices but also recognized the transformative impact of AI on search and advertising markets, leading to a more measured regulatory approach. Additionally, the court declined to mandate greater transparency in Google's advertising pricing despite evidence of price inflation. Overall, the decision reflects a judicial recognition that AI-driven competition may naturally curb Google's market power without heavy-handed breakup measures.