DOJ and Google Appeal Antitrust Ruling

Neither side fully satisfied with judge's remedies in monopolization case

Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:07pm

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The U.S. Department of Justice and Google have both filed appeals in the antitrust case against the tech giant. The DOJ is cross-appealing the remedies ordered by the judge last year, which included requiring Google to share search data with rivals and barring exclusive distribution deals, but did not force the company to sell its Chrome browser or restrict its ability to pay for premium placement of its products. Google had previously filed its own notice to appeal the ruling.

Why it matters

The appeals by both sides suggest that the judge's remedies in the landmark antitrust case were not satisfactory to either party. The outcome of the appeals could have significant implications for the future of Google's dominance in the search and online advertising markets.

The details

In September 2025, DC District Court Judge Amit Mehta ordered a set of remedies against Google in the DOJ's antitrust case. These included requiring Google to share certain search data with rivals and barring the company from making exclusive distribution deals that could hinder competitors. However, Google was not forced to sell its Chrome browser and was still allowed to pay partners for preloading or premium placement of its search and AI products. Both the DOJ and Google have now filed appeals, indicating that neither side is fully satisfied with the judge's rulings.

  • On Tuesday, the DOJ Antitrust Division announced it would cross-appeal the remedies decisions.
  • A few weeks ago, Google filed a notice to appeal the ruling and requested a pause on the ordered remedies.

The players

Department of Justice

The U.S. Department of Justice, which filed the original antitrust lawsuit against Google in 2020 alleging the company's unlawful monopolization of internet search and search advertising.

Google

The tech giant that was the target of the DOJ's antitrust lawsuit, which has now filed its own appeal of the judge's remedies order.

Judge Amit Mehta

The DC District Court judge who ruled on the remedies in the Google antitrust case in September 2025.

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What they’re saying

“Today, the DOJ Antitrust Division filed notice that it will cross-appeal from the remedies decisions in its case against Google's unlawful monopolization of internet search and search advertising.”

— DOJ Antitrust Division (X)

What’s next

The appeals process will now move forward, with both the DOJ and Google arguing their cases before a higher court. The ultimate outcome could lead to stricter or more lenient remedies being imposed on Google.

The takeaway

The appeals by both the DOJ and Google indicate that the judge's remedies in this landmark antitrust case did not fully satisfy either party. The final resolution of this case will have significant implications for the future of Google's dominance in the search and online advertising markets.