Google Scores Major Antitrust Victory as Alphabet Shares Surge

United States – A federal judge on September 2 issued a ruling largely in favor of Google, the Alphabet-owned tech giant, in a long-running antitrust battle. The court rejected calls from U.S. prosecutors to force Google to divest its Chrome browser and Android operating system — two core products of its global ecosystem.

However, the judge ordered Google to share search data with rivals to help strengthen competition in online search and digital advertising.

Alphabet Stock Jumps Nearly 7%

Following the announcement, Alphabet’s stock price rose 6.7% in Monday trading as investors welcomed the decision. Analysts noted that avoiding the breakup of Chrome and Android erased a major overhang for shareholders, given the products’ central role in Google’s long-term business strategy.

Relief for Apple and Device Makers

The decision also brought relief to Apple and other device manufacturers, who can continue receiving lucrative revenue-sharing payments from Google for keeping its search engine as the default option. According to Morgan Stanley, Google pays Apple around $20 billion annually under this arrangement.

A Legal Fight Years in the Making

Google has confirmed it will appeal, a process that could extend for years before a final resolution is reached. The ruling is the latest chapter in a five-year legal battle between one of the world’s most profitable companies and the U.S. government.

Judge Amit Mehta had previously concluded that Google unlawfully maintained monopoly power in online search and advertising. During April hearings, prosecutors pushed for sweeping remedies to curb Google’s dominance and limit its expansion into artificial intelligence. Google countered that such measures exceeded legal boundaries and could unfairly hand its technology to competitors.

Mounting Legal Pressures on Google

Beyond this case, Google faces multiple other lawsuits:

It recently lost a high-profile case against Epic Games over its Play Store practices.

In September, the company is scheduled for another trial on allegations of monopolizing online advertising technology.

These actions form part of a broader bipartisan crackdown on Big Tech in the U.S., initiated under former President Donald Trump and carried forward by President Joe Biden. Other tech giants — including Meta Platforms, Amazon, and Apple — remain under scrutiny.