Google Avoids Chrome Breakup in Landmark Antitrust Ruling
In a major antitrust decision, Google has avoided being forced to sell Chrome, its world-leading web browser. A US court ruling on September 2, 2025, found that while Google illegally preserved its monopoly in online search, it will face strict behavioural restrictions instead of a structural breakup.
Delivering the verdict, Judge Amit Mehta said Google struck multi-billion-dollar deals with Apple, Samsung, and others to keep Google Search as the default option, unfairly blocking rivals.
DOJ Wanted Chrome Split From Search
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) had pushed for drastic measures, including forcing Google to separate Chrome from its search business. Prosecutors argued that Chrome is the main entry point for billions of searches, and without a sell-off, Google’s dominance would remain intact.
But the court rejected that approach, saying the market had shifted dramatically since 2020, when the case began.
ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity Change the Game
Citing generative AI tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, and Perplexity AI, Judge Mehta noted that these platforms now provide genuine alternatives to Google Search.
According to Reuters, AI-driven tools are already chipping away at Google’s market share, and with access to data Google must now share, competitors could build stronger chatbots, search engines, and even browsers.
Court Orders Strict Behavioural Limits on Google
Instead of breaking up the company, Judge Mehta imposed several restrictions to level the playing field:
- Google cannot pay companies for exclusive default search placement.
- It must share parts of its search index, knowledge graph, and ad data with rivals on fair terms.
- Devices must show real choice screens for search engine selection.
- Google must ensure transparency in ad auctions.
- An independent technical committee will monitor compliance.
These measures are designed to stop Google from carrying its default search dominance into the AI-powered search era.
AI Competition Weakens Google’s Grip
The court emphasized that the rise of AI-powered assistants is reshaping the search landscape. Microsoft has already integrated OpenAI’s technology into Bing, while Perplexity AI and other start-ups are pioneering conversational search experiences.
Judge Mehta ruled that forcing Google to divest Chrome would be “unnecessarily disruptive” given this evolving competitive environment.
A Five-Year Legal Battle
This ruling marks the latest development in a five-year legal battle between the US government and Google. In 2024, Judge Mehta had already found that Google maintains an illegal monopoly in online search and digital advertising.
The latest verdict spares Google a structural breakup but tightens the rules around its business practices, signalling a new phase in how Big Tech dominance is regulated in the AI age.
