Alphabet’s Google has requested a US judge to delay enforcing a ruling that requires it to share data with competitors while it appeals a 2024 decision declaring the company an illegal online search monopoly. Google argued that sharing data immediately could expose trade secrets and cause irreversible harm if the appeal succeeds.
US District Judge Amit Mehta had ruled that Google used unlawful tactics to maintain dominance in online search, ordering it to share data with rivals, including AI firms like OpenAI, to level the competitive playing field. Google contends this order overreaches and unfairly risks sensitive information.
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In court filings, Google clarified it does not seek to delay compliance with other parts of the ruling, such as limiting contracts that allow preloading apps, including its Gemini AI chatbot, to a maximum of one year. The company is prepared to follow all other mandates while the appeal is pending.
Google emphasized that the remedies requiring it to share data were unnecessary and should not have been imposed. The company stressed that complying now could result in the permanent loss of proprietary information if it ultimately prevails in the federal appeals process.
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The Department of Justice and a coalition of states that brought the antitrust case have until February 3 to decide whether to challenge Mehta’s ruling, which rejected stronger remedies, including forcing Google to sell its Chrome browser. The case reflects ongoing scrutiny of Big Tech’s market power.
Legal analysts note that Google has historically emerged largely unscathed from antitrust challenges, despite multiple rulings against its practices. The outcome of this appeal could set important precedents for data-sharing mandates and competitive regulations in the US technology sector.