Google Surges as Judge Lets It Keep Chrome Browser

​Google Dodges a Major Blow
Google’s parent company, Alphabet, saw its stock surge 8% after a federal judge ruled the tech giant could keep its Chrome browser, avoiding the harshest penalties in its high-profile antitrust battle.

The case, which has been closely watched for nearly two years, centered on whether Google abused its dominant position in search and advertising. While the judge reaffirmed that Google held an illegal monopoly, he rejected calls for a forced sale of Chrome or the Android operating system.

The Ruling
The court ruled that Google can continue making payments to partners for preloading its search and Chrome services but banned exclusive contracts that prevent rivals from competing. Google must also share certain search data with competitors — but only on commercial terms consistent with existing practices, and without giving advertisers direct access to granular data.

Market Reaction
Investors cheered the news, viewing the ruling as a sign that the company will face restrictions without being dismantled. Apple, which earns billions annually from Google for keeping its search engine as the default on iPhones, also saw its stock climb 4% in after-hours trading.

Google’s Response
Google acknowledged the new limits but expressed concern over how the mandated data-sharing rules might affect user privacy. The company emphasized that the court’s decision to avoid breaking up Chrome or Android prevents potential disruption for consumers and partners.

What’s Next
​The parties have until September 10 to finalize the judgment, but the tech and legal communities are already parsing the ruling as a defining moment in the regulation of Big Tech. While the decision reins in some of Google’s practices, it leaves the company’s core business model largely intact — a result that reassured markets and kept confidence in its long-term dominance high.