Google appeals U.S. ruling that found it illegally maintained search monopolies

Friday, May 22, 2026Technology & SocietyWell-covered3 frames

Google filed an appeal challenging a Washington federal judge's ruling that it illegally maintained monopolies in online search and related search advertising.
The ruling Google is appealing was issued by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in 2024.
Judge Mehta's decision found that Google used multibillion-dollar agreements with companies including Apple to make Google the default search engine on devices and browsers, which the court said helped block or weaken competition.
In its appeal, Google argues the district court made legal errors in applying antitrust law.
Google argues its default-search agreements did not prevent device makers or browser developers from promoting rival search services such as Microsoft's Bing.
Google says it succeeded because it built a better search product through innovation and investment, rather than through unlawful conduct.
The appeal could also affect remedies ordered after the liability ruling, including requirements related to sharing some search data with competitors.
The case remains unresolved because the appeal will now proceed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where the Justice Department is expected to file its response.

How left and right are reading this

Both agree: A judge’s monopoly finding and Google’s appeal will determine whether the company’s default-search deals were lawful and whether major remedies, including requirements affecting rivals’ access to search data, can stand.
They split on: Whether the story is about curbing platform power after a finding that default deals weakened competition, or about ensuring antitrust law was correctly applied before a major liability ruling and remedies reshape a successful product.

Google filed an appeal challenging a Washington federal judge's ruling that it illegally maintained monopolies in online search and related search advertising.
The ruling Google is appealing was issued by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta in 2024.
Judge Mehta's decision found that Google used multibillion-dollar agreements with companies including Apple to make Google the default search engine on devices and browsers, which the court said helped block or weaken competition.
In its appeal, Google argues the district court made legal errors in applying antitrust law.
Google argues its default-search agreements did not prevent device makers or browser developers from promoting rival search services such as Microsoft's Bing.
Google says it succeeded because it built a better search product through innovation and investment, rather than through unlawful conduct.
The appeal could also affect remedies ordered after the liability ruling, including requirements related to sharing some search data with competitors.
The case remains unresolved because the appeal will now proceed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where the Justice Department is expected to file its response.