In a recent ruling, a federal judge decided that Google will not be required to sell its Chromecast browser, a verdict that has sparked a wave of relief and celebration among Google employees. US District Judge Amit Mehta, addressing the antitrust lawsuit brought by the U.S. Justice Department in 2020, recognized Google’s search business as a monopoly but rejected the call to force the company to divest its browser.
Responses from Google employees have flooded the company’s internal message boards, showcasing a mixture of humor and relief. One user humorously transformed a famous scene from "The Lord of the Rings," saying, "Looks like Chrome is back on the menu, boys!" Another employee referenced "The Wolf of Wall Street," adapting the iconic declaration to Chrome: "I’m not *** leaving." These light-hearted exchanges reflect a collective exhale, as many Googlers express happiness that Chrome remains within the fold.
The potential sell-off of Chrome was viewed with concern, as it serves as a vital distribution channel for Google’s advertising business, gathering vast amounts of critical data that fuels its search capabilities. The news of the ruling even caused Google’s stock to surge, climbing more than 6% in after-hours trading, further adding to the positive atmosphere among employees, who capitalized on the momentum to share celebratory memes across their communications platform.
While some employees engaged in humorous banter about their stock positions, others pointed out that the ruling will likely have minimal impact on their day-to-day activities. A few anonymous sources noted that overall sentiment remained optimistic, primarily focused on the stock’s rise rather than the broader implications of the antitrust case.
The judge outlined several remedies for Google, including prohibiting exclusive agreements that reinforce its search engine as the default option, although banning payments to partners entirely was avoided. Additionally, Google will have to share certain search data with competitors.
Despite the significant ruling regarding monopolistic practices, the overall response from within Google seems focused on job stability and financial performance, reflecting a culture accustomed to navigating regulatory challenges. The company’s spokesperson did not provide any comments following the ruling, leaving speculation about future corporate strategies and adjustments in response to the decision.
