Department of Justice appeals Google search monopoly ruling

On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a group of states filed a cross-appeal regarding the ruling on Google's monopoly status in an antitrust case. This action was announced by the DOJ Antitrust Division on X, where it stated that the appeal targets the remedies decisions made by DC District Court Judge Amit Mehta. The DOJ is seeking to challenge the ruling that did not require Google to divest its Chrome browser, which the DOJ and states argue is necessary to address Google's alleged monopolization of internet search and search advertising. In the original ruling from 2025, Judge Mehta denied the DOJ's request for Google to sell off its Chrome browser, asserting that the plaintiffs had "overreached" in their demands. He concluded that Google did not use its assets to impose illegal restraints. However, the judge did impose other restrictions on Google's business practices, which included an end to exclusive agreements for distributing certain services and a requirement for Google to share specific search data with its competitors. In a related development, Google has also filed a notice to appeal the remedies ordered by Judge Mehta. The company has requested a pause on these remedies, which include the requirement to share search data with rivals and the prohibition of exclusive distribution deals. This ongoing legal scrutiny reflects the complexities of the antitrust case against Google and the differing perspectives on the appropriate remedies for its business practices.