Google avoids break up, but has to give up exclusive search deals in antitrust trial

In a significant antitrust trial, Google avoided a breakup but was ordered to give up its exclusive search deals. U.S. District Court Judge Amit P. Mehta ruled that Google will be barred from entering or maintaining exclusive agreements that tie the distribution of its products, such as Search, Chrome, Google Assistant, or Gemini, to other apps or revenue arrangements. The ruling aims to address concerns that Google's dominance in the search market has been maintained through these exclusivity deals, which have limited competition. While Google was not forced to break up, the court's decision represents a substantial concession that will require the tech giant to reconfigure its business practices. The ruling is part of a broader antitrust case against Google, which has faced increased scrutiny over its market power and alleged anti-competitive behavior. The decision is seen as a significant step in addressing the concerns surrounding Google's market dominance and its impact on consumer choice and competition in the digital ecosystem.