Google has filed an appeal against a major antitrust ruling from a US district judge. The court found the company illegally maintained dominance in online search markets.
Google said users choose its services freely, not because they are forced. Lee-Anne Mulholland, vice president for regulatory affairs, responded to the August 2024 decision. She said the ruling misrepresented how people interact with Google products.
Company challenges judge’s view on competition
Google announced the appeal on Friday and criticised Judge Amit Mehta’s reasoning. The company said the ruling ignored rapid technological innovation. It also said the court underestimated competitive pressure from rivals.
Google requested a pause on implementing the court’s remedies. Some analysts already described the measures as limited in scope. Google warned immediate enforcement could disrupt markets and stifle innovation.
Judge recognises AI influence but rejects breakup
Judge Mehta acknowledged fast changes in Google’s business when he issued remedies in September. He wrote that generative artificial intelligence reshaped the case.
He rejected a government request to break up Google. That plan included spinning off Chrome, the world’s most widely used browser.
Instead, the judge imposed narrower measures. Google must share selected data with court-approved competitors under the order.
Orders to share search data face resistance
The shared data would include parts of Google’s search index. That index functions as a vast map of online content.
Judge Mehta also ordered Google to let certain rivals display its search results. He said the step would give smaller companies time and resources to innovate.
Mulholland criticised the requirements on Friday. She said mandatory data sharing and syndication threatened privacy and discouraged innovation by competitors.
AI expansion draws global scrutiny
Google has increased investment in artificial intelligence across its services. Regulators have raised concerns over how AI affects competition and publishers.
Last month, the European Union opened an investigation into Google’s AI summaries. Those summaries appear above standard search results.
The European Commission said it would review Google’s use of website content. It also questioned whether publishers received fair compensation. Google said the inquiry risks slowing innovation in a competitive market.
This week, Google parent Alphabet reached a market value of four trillion dollars. Only three other companies have ever reached that level.
