In a significant ruling, a US court has said Google will not be forced to sell its Chrome browser or Android operating system. This brought major relief for the tech giant. However, the court also ordered Google to share certain data with competitors to boost online search competition and encourage innovation. The ruling allows Google to continue its lucrative payments to Apple, which US antitrust regulators had previously questioned.

Following the verdict, shares of Google’s parent company Alphabet jumped more than 7 percent in after-hours trading, while Apple’s shares rose 3 percent. Market analysts noted that while the decision offers immediate financial relief to both firms, it poses long-term competitive risks for Google.

US District Judge Amit Mehta stated in his ruling that Chrome and Android remain central to Google’s advertising revenue. The case, which has dragged on for five years, had already seen the court declare Google’s monopoly over search and advertising unlawful. However, in outlining remedies, the judge pointed out that artificial intelligence tools—such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT—are already challenging Google’s dominance. By being compelled to share data, AI companies will be able to strengthen their chatbots and search engines.

Google has objected to the data-sharing requirement, saying it could undermine user privacy. The company plans to appeal the ruling, a process that could stretch on for years and potentially reach the Supreme Court.

For Apple, the verdict was equally favorable. The company earns about USD 20 billion annually from revenue-sharing arrangements with Google, and this will continue. However, the court made clear that Google cannot enter into exclusive contracts that block rival search apps from being easily installed on devices. Deals with Samsung and Motorola already include options for alternative search engines.

The accusations against Google extend beyond search. Ongoing cases also target its app store and advertising technology. Later this month, hearings will begin in another case over Google’s alleged monopoly in online ad tech. Since the Trump administration, bipartisan US efforts have ramped up antitrust pressure not only on Google but also on Meta, Amazon, and Apple.

Overall, while the Google-Apple deal stands, the requirement to share data could become a major challenge for Google in the long run—especially as AI-driven competitors continue to gain strength in the market.