Google Stock Surged 9% After Court Ruling on Chrome Sale; Here's Why

Google stock soared on September 3, 2025 after a federal judge ruled that Google would not be forced to sell its popular Chrome browser and Android operating system. This decision marks a pivotal moment in a landmark antitrust case, providing significant relief to the tech company and its investors.

The news sent a wave of optimism through the market, with Google share price climbing 9%, according to Google Finance, adding over $150 billion in market value. Alphabet investors, who had been bracing for a potentially crippling blow, breathed a sigh of relief. While the ruling is being hailed as a major victory for Google, it's not a complete relief.

In this blog, we will break down the entire case, the nuances of the court's decision, and what lies ahead for the tech behemoth.

Judge Rejects DOJ Push to Break Up Google’s Chrome and Android

The five-year legal battle between Google and the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) has now resulted in a ruling that spared the company from its most severe penalty yet, a forced breakup. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google would not be required to divest its Chrome browser or Android operating system. 

Google Antitrust Case: Timeline of Key Rulings and Proposals

The latest ruling has been hailed as a major win for Google, which faced the prospect of losing two of its most critical products. In a statement following the ruling, Google acknowledged the court's decision and highlighted the evolving nature of the tech industry. The company said the decision "recognizes how much the industry has changed through the advent of AI, which is giving people so many more ways to find information."

The "Kink" in the Ruling: Judge Limits Google’s Contracts, Demands Data Transparency

Despite the significant win, the ruling does impose some restrictions on Google's business practices. These include:

• No More Exclusive Deals: Google is now prohibited from entering into exclusive contracts for the distribution of Google Search, Chrome, Google Assistant, and the Gemini app. This means that phone manufacturers will be free to preload or promote other search engines, browsers, or AI assistants alongside Google's offerings.
• Data Sharing: Google will be required to share some of its search data with competitors. This is intended to level the playing field and allow rivals to improve their own search products.

Google expressed reservations about some of these court's mandates. In an official statement, the company said, "We have concerns about how these requirements will impact our users and their privacy, and we're reviewing the decision closely". Google CEO Sundar Pichai had previously voiced concerns during the trial that the data-sharing measures sought by the DoJ could allow rivals to reverse-engineer Google's technology. The company has indicated that it plans to appeal the ruling.

The Google-Apple Deal and the Road Ahead

A significant aspect of the case was Google's lucrative deal with Apple, reportedly worth over $26 billion in 2021, to be the default search engine on Safari. The court's ruling allows this partnership to continue, a decision that also saw Apple share price rising 3.8% on Wednesday, as per Google Finance data.

The ruling comes at a time when the relationship between the two tech giants is under the microscope for other reasons. Apple is reportedly considering a major overhaul of its Siri voice assistant, potentially powered by Google's Gemini AI model. This potential collaboration highlights the complex interplay of competition and cooperation in the tech world.

What the Antitrust Decision Means for Google’s Future in AI and Search

While Google has avoided the harshest penalties in this antitrust case, the legal battles are far from over. The company is still facing another lawsuit from the DoJ and 17 states over its dominance in the online advertising technology market. For investors, the recent ruling is undoubtedly good news. As one analyst put it, "The regulator's bark is bigger than the bite."

The decision removes a significant cloud of uncertainty. However, the new restrictions on exclusive deals and the requirement to share data will be closely watched to see how they impact Google's market share and profitability in the long run.

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