Google keeps Chrome and Apple deal but must share data in big antitrust ruling

Google won’t have to sell its Chrome browser, a judge in Washington said on Tuesday, handing a rare win to Big Tech in its battle with US antitrust enforcers, but ordering Google to share data with rivals to open up competition in online search. Google parent Alphabet’s shares were up 7.2 per cent in extended trading on Tuesday as investors cheered the judge’s ruling, which also allows Google to keep making lucrative payments to Apple that antitrust enforcers said froze out search rivals. Apple shares rose 3pc. US District Judge Amit Mehta also ruled Google could keep its Android operating system, which, together with Chrome, helps drive Google’s market-dominating online advertising business.