Google has asked a U.S. federal judge to temporarily halt enforcement of a court order that would require the company to share sensitive search data with competitors while it appeals a landmark antitrust ruling. The request marks the latest development in the U.S. government’s long-running effort to curb Google’s dominance in online search and reshape competition in the digital marketplace.
The motion was filed by Google in Washington, D.C., where the company is challenging remedies imposed after a court found it unlawfully maintained a monopoly in the search market. Google argues that forcing immediate compliance with the data-sharing mandate could cause irreversible harm if the ruling is later overturned on appeal.
Background of the Antitrust Case
The dispute stems from a major antitrust decision issued in 2024, when a federal judge ruled that Google violated U.S. competition laws by using exclusionary practices to protect its search dominance. The court concluded that Google’s agreements with device makers and browser companies helped lock out competitors and limited consumer choice.
As part of the remedies phase, the court ordered Google to make certain search-related data available to rivals. The requirement was intended to lower barriers to entry for competing search engines and emerging artificial intelligence companies that rely on access to large volumes of search information to develop and refine their products.
Google, however, maintains that the data-sharing obligation goes too far and threatens to expose proprietary information that underpins its core business.
Google’s Argument for a Delay
In its filing, Google asked U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta to stay enforcement of the data-sharing portion of the order until the appellate process is complete. The company emphasized that once confidential search data is disclosed, the impact cannot be undone.
Google told the court that it is prepared to comply with most other aspects of the injunction, including restrictions on certain contractual practices related to its search and artificial intelligence products. However, it drew a firm line at providing competitors with access to internal search data while its legal challenge is pending.
According to Google, the appeals process could take years, and forcing disclosure now would effectively decide the case before higher courts have the opportunity to review the ruling.
Government Response and Broader Stakes
The lawsuit was brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, along with a coalition of state attorneys general, who argue that strong remedies are necessary to restore competition in online search. Government lawyers have said that access to Google’s search data is critical for rivals seeking to compete fairly in a market long dominated by a single player.
The Justice Department has until early February to determine whether it will appeal portions of the remedies decision. While the court rejected some of the government’s most aggressive proposals such as breaking up parts of Google’s business the data-sharing requirement remains a central point of contention.
Legal analysts say the outcome could have sweeping implications not only for Google but also for how antitrust law is applied to large technology companies.
Impact on the Tech and AI Industries
The case is being closely watched across Silicon Valley and beyond, particularly by companies developing artificial intelligence tools that depend on search data. If enforced, the order could significantly alter how search and AI markets operate by reducing Google’s control over information that competitors have historically lacked.
At the same time, technology companies warn that mandatory data sharing could discourage innovation by weakening incentives to invest in proprietary systems and infrastructure.
For Google, the appeal represents a critical effort to protect its search business, which remains a primary driver of revenue for parent company Alphabet. The company has repeatedly stated that it disagrees with the court’s findings and believes its products benefit consumers and advertisers alike.
What Comes Next
Judge Mehta has not yet ruled on Google’s request to pause the data-sharing order. If granted, the stay would preserve the status quo while the appellate court reviews the antitrust decision. If denied, Google could be required to begin sharing search data even as the legal battle continues.
Regardless of the outcome, the case underscores the growing willingness of U.S. regulators to challenge the power of dominant technology platforms. As courts, regulators, and lawmakers continue to grapple with the role of Big Tech in the economy, the Google antitrust fight is poised to serve as a defining test for competition law in the digital age.
Looking for your next legal career move? Explore thousands of attorney and legal professional opportunities nationwide with LawCrossing, the trusted job board built exclusively for the legal industry. Discover new roles, advance your career, and stay competitive in today’s evolving legal market by
visiting LawCrossing today.
