Summary
A judge has told Google to share certain search data with competing companies. This decision aims to reduce Google's power in the search market but raises concerns about user privacy.
Key Facts
- Judge Amit Mehta ordered Google to share user click-and-query data with competitors.
- Click-and-query data is about what users search for and the links they click.
- This move is part of an effort to reduce Google's dominance in the search engine market.
- Data will only be shared with "qualified competitors."
- A committee will decide which companies can access the data and how to protect user privacy.
- Google already shares some data with third parties, but it is usually not personally identifiable.
- Google's attorneys have concerns that sharing more detailed data could threaten user privacy.
- The decision is part of a larger antitrust case against Google by the Department of Justice.
