US antitrust ruling asks Google to revamp search engine and share data with rivals

In a rare win in its battle with U.S. antitrust enforcers, Google might not have to sell its Chrome browser but was ordered to share data with rivals to open up competition in online search. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta also ruled Google could keep its Android operating system, which, together with Chrome helps drive Google’s market-dominating online advertising business. He also allowed Google to keep making lucrative payments to Apple that antitrust enforcers said froze out search rivals.

The judgement results from a five-year legal battle between one of the world’s most profitable companies and the U.S., where antitrust regulators and lawmakers have long questioned Big Tech’s market domination. Mehta ruled last year that Google holds an illegal monopoly in online search and related advertising.

Google parent Alphabet’s shares were up 7.2% in extended trading on Tuesday, whereas Apple shares rose 3%.

While sharing data with competitors will strengthen rivals to Google’s advertising business, the ruling of not having to sell off Chrome or Android removes a major concern for investors who view them as key pieces to Google’s overall business.

Google, however said in a blog post that it was worried data sharing “will impact our users and their privacy, and we’re reviewing the decision closely.”

The ruling also comes as a relief for Apple and other device and Web browser makers, whom Mehta said can continue to receive advertising revenue-sharing payments from Google for searches on their devices.

Google pays Apple $20 billion annually, Morgan Stanley analysts said last year.