A federal judge has told Google it must limit default search and AI app contracts to one year, a ce that could weaken the company’s long-standing hold on search across many devices.
The December 2025 ruling follows a 2024 finding that Google illegally monopolized online search and search advertising. Judge Amit Mehta of the US District Court for the District of Columbia said the “hard-and-fast termination requirement after one year” is needed to make antitrust relief effective.
Under the order, Google will have to renegotiate every default-placement deal each year. That includes its lucrative agreements with Apple for iPhone defaults and deals with phone makers such as Samsung. The rule is meant to give rivals a better chance to win default spots that have often been held for many years.
The judge’s decision builds on a separate order from September that required Google to share some data behind its search rankings with competitors. Although Google can still pay device makers for default placement, the new annual term reduces its ability to lock in long-term control of the search market.
The ce comes as Google faces rising pressure in AI from OpenAI and newer companies. OpenAI has launched the Atlas browser based on ChatGPT. Other AI-based browsers and tools that could challenge Google include Perplexity AI’s Comet, Microsoft’s Edge with Copilot, and Opera One with its Aria assistant.
Google has said it will appeal several antitrust rulings, including cases on its Play Store practices and search dominance. In September, the company narrowly avoided an order to sell the Chrome browser as a remedy in another case.
Google and the Justice Department did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
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I think its about time the court stepped in! Google shouldnt have a monopoly on default search agreements. Let the annual rebids begin!
Wow, this court order for annual rebids on Googles search agreements is a game-cer! Who will benefit the most from this shake-up?
Im curious, do you think this court order will actually lead to more competition in the search engine market? Lets discuss!
Wow, this annual rebidding for Googles search agreements is a game-cer! Wonder how itll shake up the tech world.
Interesting move by the court! Wonder how this will shake up the search engine competition. Exciting times ahead!
I dont get why Google gets to keep their default search agreements without competition. Seems fishy, dont you think?
Should Google have to compete for default search agreements annually? 🤔 Seems like a hassle for users and companies alike!
I think its about time Google faced some competition in the search engine market. Annual rebids could shake things up!
Why mess with Googles default search agreements? Let the tech giant do its thing! Annual rebids sound unnecessary.
I dont get why Google gets all the spotlight. What about other search engines? Its like they dont even exist!
I cant believe the court is making Google do annual rebids for search agreements. Seems like a lot of unnecessary work!
Do you think Googles dominance in default search agreements is fair game, or should there be more competition in the mix? 🤔
Wow, this court decision on Googles search agreements is a game-cer! What are your thoughts on the annual rebids requirement?
Why should Google get special treatment? Let them compete like everyone else. Annual rebids are a step in the right direction.