Free Republic

A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Google can keep its Chrome browser but will be barred from exclusive contracts and must share search data. Alphabet shares popped 6% in extended trading. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled against the most severe consequences that were proposed by the U.S. Department of Justice, including selling off its Chrome browser, which provides data that helps its advertising business deliver targeted ads. “Google will not be required to divest Chrome; nor will the court include a contingent divestiture of the Android operating system in the final judgment,” the decision states. “Plaintiffs overreached in seeking...

As Google prepares to bring most employees back to the office, the company is facing a workforce that’s increasingly unhappy when it comes to key issues such as compensation and an ability to meet career goals.Google’s annual employee surveys, internally called “Googlegeist,” show that a growing number of staffers don’t view their pay packages as fair or competitive with what they could make in a similar role elsewhere. They are also questioning their employer’s ability to execute.The surveys were taken in January and released to employees last week. CNBC viewed results from the company overall as well as individual groups...

Kevin Cernekee, a former Google engineer who told several media outlets that he was fired for being an outspoken conservative, had a history of defending white nationalist ideals and organizations, according to a lengthy internal email posted by another conservative employee in 2018. However, Cernekee denies he agrees with alt-right viewpoints, and says he was simply being smeared for being an advocate of free speech.Mike Wacker, a Google employee who describes himself as a conservative, claimed Cernekee led conversations that defended white nationalism and garnered a band of followers internally. Wacker’s message, which was initially sent to an internal mailing...