The Justice Department and 35 states will appeal a September 2025 court ruling that allowed Google parent company Alphabet to keep its Chrome browser after losing an antitrust case.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional l ...

WASHINGTON, Feb 3 (Reuters) - The U.S. government and a majority of U.S. states on Tuesday will appeal the outcome of ​a landmark antitrust case against Alphabet's Google, according to court ‌papers. A federal court judge in Washington in 2024 ruled Google has a monopoly in ‌the online search business, but rejected the toughest remedies. The Department of Justice and state attorneys general did not provide details in court documents about their appeal. Their challenge will likely focus on the judge's d ...

Group 1 - Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is involved in a proposed class action lawsuit regarding unauthorized data collection through its Android operating system, agreeing to pay $135 million to resolve the issue, pending judicial approval [2] - The lawsuit claims that user data was collected even when devices were locked or location sharing was disabled, with the settlement requiring clearer disclosures and user consent for data transfers [2] - Roth Capital has maintained a Buy recommendation for Alphabet Inc. ahead of its fourth-quarter reports, raising the price target from $310 to $365, citing several catalysts for potential growth [3] Group 2 - Alphabet Inc. operates in various sectors including software, healthcare, and transportation, but some analysts believe other AI stocks may offer better investment opportunities with higher upside potential and lower risks [4]

As Alphabet races to establish its AI dominance, its flagship unit, Google, faces two significant lawsuits in a single week. The tech giant has reached a preliminary agreement to settle two U.S. class-action lawsuits for more than $200 million. This comes amid mounting pressure and additional probes from the European Union. In filings lodged days apart in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Google has agreed to pay $68 million to resolve claims related to its voice-activated ...

Google agreed to two settlements within the span of a week that would see the tech giant pay out over $200 million. Smartphone users accused Google of programming its Android operating system to collect their cellular data without permission in one class action lawsuit, while others claimed that its voice-activated assistant spied inappropriately on them in a separate class action lawsuit. Both lawsuits were filed in federal court in the Northern District of California and require a judge's approval befor ...

Core Viewpoint - The European Commission has initiated two formal proceedings to ensure Google complies with the Digital Markets Act, focusing on interoperability and data sharing practices related to its Android operating system and search data [1][2]. Group 1: Interoperability Obligations - The first proceeding addresses Google's obligations under Article 6(7) of the Digital Markets Act, requiring Google to provide third-party developers with free and effective interoperability with features controlled by its Android operating system [2]. - The focus is on features utilized by Google's proprietary AI services, such as Gemini, to ensure third-party AI service providers have equivalent access, promoting innovation and competition in the AI landscape on mobile devices [3]. Group 2: Data Sharing Obligations - The second proceeding pertains to Google's obligations under Article 6(11) of the Digital Markets Act, mandating access for third-party online search engine providers to anonymized data from Google Search, including ranking, query, click, and view data [4]. - The proceedings will evaluate the extent of data sharing, anonymization methods, conditions for data access, and eligibility of AI chatbot providers to utilize this data, aiming to enhance competition against Google Search [5]. Group 3: Regulatory Process and Timeline - The European Commission aims to clarify compliance measures for Google regarding interoperability and data sharing obligations, with proceedings expected to conclude within six months and preliminary findings communicated within three months [7].

Core Viewpoint - The current decade presents a once-in-a-decade investment opportunity in generative AI and quantum computing, with specific stocks in quantum computing being highlighted as potential long-term investments [2]. Group 1: Alphabet - Alphabet has significantly benefited from the rise of mobile phones and social media, with its Google Cloud division experiencing substantial growth due to the shift to cloud computing and the rise of generative AI [3]. - The Google Quantum AI unit achieved quantum supremacy in October 2019, marking a significant milestone in quantum computing [4]. - In 2023, Google Quantum AI demonstrated the first logical qubit prototype, indicating progress in reducing quantum computing errors and increasing qubit numbers [5]. - Predictions suggest that Google Quantum AI will build a large, error-corrected quantum computer with at least 1 million qubits in the coming years [6]. Group 2: Microsoft - Microsoft shares similarities with Alphabet, being a technology giant and a top-tier cloud service provider, benefiting from generative AI [7]. - The company has developed a unique approach to quantum processing, distinguishing it from competitors [7]. - In February 2025, Microsoft introduced the Majorana 1 quantum chip, utilizing a topological superconductor, which could potentially allow for over 1 million qubits on a single chip [9]. - If successful, Microsoft's topoconductor technology could position the company as a leading player in the quantum computing industry for the next decade [10]. Group 3: IonQ - IonQ currently has a market cap of approximately $18 billion, making it a smaller player compared to Alphabet and Microsoft [11]. - The company employs a trapped-ion architecture for quantum computing, which aims to reduce quantum errors and enhance qubit coherence [12]. - IonQ is also developing quantum networking, sensing, and security solutions, positioning itself as a unique quantum platform company [14]. - Despite being riskier and currently unprofitable, IonQ could offer greater long-term returns if its R&D efforts succeed [15].

Core Viewpoint - Alphabet was the top-performing stock among the "Magnificent Seven" in 2025, driven by multiple catalysts, but a similar performance in 2026 is not expected, although it is anticipated to outperform the market [1]. Group 1: Performance and Market Position - Alphabet's stock had a remarkable 65% increase in 2025, but such a performance is not expected to be repeated in 2026 [1]. - The company has emerged as a leader in the generative AI sector, with its Gemini model challenging existing leaders in accuracy and utility [3][8]. Group 2: Revenue and Business Concerns - Google Search, Alphabet's primary revenue source, generated $56.6 billion out of a total of $102.3 billion in Q3 [4]. - Concerns regarding Google Search included threats from generative AI and potential divestitures due to antitrust rulings, but these fears have been alleviated [5][6]. Group 3: Legal and Regulatory Developments - A federal judge imposed lighter penalties on Alphabet for antitrust violations, allowing the company to avoid a breakup and only requiring minor concessions [7].

Core Viewpoint - Alphabet's stock has surged recently, positioning it nearly at a $4 trillion market cap, while Microsoft remains close with a market cap of $3.657 trillion, leading to investor interest in which stock is the better buy [1][8]. Company Overview - Alphabet, the parent company of Google, derives most of its revenue from advertising, which totaled $74.2 billion in Q3 2025, contributing to a total revenue of $102.3 billion [2][4]. - Microsoft has a diverse business model, with significant revenue from business productivity tools and cloud computing, generating $33 billion and $30.9 billion respectively in Q1 FY 2026, totaling $77.7 billion [5][8]. Revenue Growth and Stability - Alphabet's advertising revenue is currently growing, but is vulnerable to economic downturns as companies may cut back on advertising spending [4]. - Microsoft’s business and cloud computing segments are more resilient during economic downturns, showing steadier growth compared to Alphabet [5][7]. Cloud Computing Segment - Both companies are experiencing increased demand in their cloud computing operations, driven by artificial intelligence workloads, with Microsoft Azure's revenue rising 40% year over year in Q1 FY 2026 [7]. - Google Cloud's revenue grew 34% year over year in Q3 2025, and Alphabet is exploring new revenue streams by potentially selling its tensor processing units (TPUs) [8][9]. Investment Perspective - Alphabet's stock is currently trading at 31 times forward earnings, slightly more expensive than Microsoft, but potential revenue from TPUs could make it appear cheaper than it is, suggesting it may be the better buy [9][11].

Core Insights - The U.S. antitrust enforcement is intensifying against major tech companies, including Alphabet, Meta, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia, focusing on their market dominance and competitive practices [1][2]. Alphabet (Google) - Google is currently involved in two significant antitrust cases, one requiring it to share search data with competitors and another regarding its online advertising technology [3][5]. - A judge ruled that Google must share data to enhance competition in online search and cannot enter exclusive agreements with device makers [3][4]. - Google is appealing the ruling, which may delay compliance, while it has already begun to adjust its agreements with device manufacturers and carriers [4][6]. Meta Platforms - Meta is facing an antitrust trial initiated by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) aimed at reversing its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, with evidence suggesting strategic purchases to eliminate competition [7]. - The judge overseeing the case is not expected to make a ruling until late 2025 [8]. Amazon - Amazon is under scrutiny from the FTC and state enforcers for allegedly using anti-competitive tactics to maintain its dominance in online retail [9]. - The FTC claims that Amazon's pricing algorithm has led to increased costs for U.S. households by over $1 billion, although Amazon asserts that the algorithm was discontinued in 2019 [10]. - A trial regarding these allegations is scheduled for February 2027 [10]. Apple - Apple is being sued by the Justice Department and a coalition of states for restricting competition by limiting app and device makers, which keeps iPhone users within its ecosystem [11]. - Apple's motion to dismiss the case was rejected, with information exchange deadlines extending into early 2027, and no trial date set yet [11]. Microsoft - The FTC has opened a probe into Microsoft for potentially abusing its market power in productivity software, but no formal case has been filed yet [12]. Nvidia - The Justice Department is investigating Nvidia, a leading semiconductor company, particularly in relation to its role in powering artificial intelligence applications, but no lawsuit has been initiated [13].