Google Ruling Rightly Rejects Most DOJ Demands, But Appeals Still Warranted

A federal court largely rejected DOJ efforts to break up Google, declining to spin off its Chrome browser or impose sweeping payment bans. But the ruling left new mandates on data sharing that will require close scrutiny, says Jessica Melugin, director of CEI’s Center for Technology and Innovation:

“Today’s ruling in the Google search case wisely avoids most of the requests from the Department of Justice, including a forced divestiture of Chrome and Android, overly broad payment bans, and other requested overreaches. But the mandated data sharing introduces questions about who might qualify as a “qualified competitor” and if that benefits consumers, or just Google competitors. Google is right to appeal the case on the initial finding of merits.”