Google files to appeal a federal judge’s ruling that it held an illegal monopoly on online search and text advertising.
WASHINGTON: Google has filed a notice to appeal a federal judge’s ruling that it held an illegal monopoly on online search.
Court records show the filing was made on Friday following a 2024 decision by US District Judge Amit Mehta.
The judge ruled that Google maintained a monopoly on search and text advertising through exclusive distribution agreements that made it the default option.
Google said the ruling “ignored the reality that people use Google because they want to, not because they’re forced to.”
“The decision failed to account for the rapid pace of innovation and intense competition we face from established players and well-funded start-ups,” wrote Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s vice president of regulatory affairs.
The company also asked Judge Mehta to pause an order requiring it to share data with rivals to level the playing field.
Google argued in a court filing that this order risks the loss of trade secrets before its appeal is decided.
Judge Mehta imposed the data-sharing order while rejecting a US government request for Google to sell its Chrome browser.
He said Google must make search index data and user interaction information available to qualified competitors.
Google stated it is not seeking to postpone other requirements from Mehta’s orders, including privacy and security safeguards for user data.
“Although Google believes that these remedies are unwarranted and should never have been imposed, it is prepared to do everything short of turning over its data,” the company said.
