Limits on AI and default search deals added to Google’s antitrust penalties

Google has been directed by a US judge to limit its partnerships with smartphone and other smart device developers, such as Apple and Samsung, to one year when it comes to making its search engine or artificial intelligence app a default setting on the device.

"The age-old saying 'the devil is in the details' may not have been devised with the drafting of an antitrust remedies judgment in mind, but it sure does fit," said U.S. Federal District Judge Amit Mehta, in his Memorandum Opinion issued Friday on five-year antitrust litigation between Google and the U.S. Department of Justice.

While companies like Apple and Samsung can still set Google Chrome or Gemini as a default on their devices, those contracts would have to be renegotiated every year.

This latest move stems from the antitrust case that culminated in September with Mehta determining that Google did not have to divest Chrome, which was what the Justice Department was seeking. Instead, Google had to open up competition in online search by sharing more data with competitors. It could also not enter exclusive contracts for search, which is what led to Mehta's compromise position with the one-year contracts.

"The court agrees with Google that an annual recertification requirement is prudent," Mehta noted. "The court shares Google's concern about companies initially certified as Qualified Competitors who might abandon their professed intent to compete and improperly take advantage of data releases or other remedies."

 The judge also agreed with Google that devices such as Chromebooks that are running on ChromeOS are not restricted by the one-year contracts.