A U.S. federal judge has ruled that Google illegally built monopoly power in its online advertising business, siding with the Department of Justice in a landmark antitrust case that could force the tech giant to break up parts of its empire.
The decision, handed down on Thursday by Judge Leonie Brinkema in Virginia, found that Google’s control over both sides of the digital ad market — the tools for publishers and advertisers — gave it an unfair advantage that harmed rivals and consumers.
It marks the second major court win against Google in under a year and the third since late 2023, when a jury declared its app store to be an illegal monopoly.
At the heart of the ruling is Google’s $31 billion ad tech “stack,” a suite of tools used to match online ads with web publishers. The court found that Google tied together its ad server and publisher exchange in a way that locked out competitors and allowed it to “establish and protect” its dominance.
The DOJ argued that the setup created a structural conflict of interest, letting Google manipulate outcomes in its own favour — a view Judge Brinkema agreed with.
Google may now be required to divest part of its advertising business, though the company said it would appeal.
“We won half of this case and will appeal the other half,” said Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. She noted the court had rejected claims tied to Google’s advertiser tools and acquisitions like DoubleClick.
The ruling adds to growing pressure on Google’s parent company, Alphabet, which is already facing regulatory scrutiny in the U.S. and Europe.
Critics have long warned that Google’s dominance in digital advertising raises prices for businesses and reduces visibility for smaller publishers. The Justice Department echoed that, stating Google’s behaviour “substantially harmed” publishers and the broader online information ecosystem.
The case also underscores a wider crackdown on Big Tech, as U.S. regulators ramp up efforts to rein in the power of companies like Meta, Amazon and Apple. Just this week, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared in court over separate antitrust claims targeting the company’s acquisition practices.
While Google maintains that its tools benefit publishers, the court’s decision signals a new chapter in the government's antitrust fight — one that could alter how digital advertising works across the open web.
Google is facing a landmark antitrust trial beginning Monday, as U.S. officials seek to break up the tech giant's dominance in the search engine market.
Google plans to appeal parts of a recent U.S. court ruling that found it had unlawfully maintained monopoly power in parts of the online ad market, specifically in publisher ad servers and ad exchanges, while the court dismissed other antitrust claims.
China has dismissed the recent decision by Google to rename parts of the disputed South China Sea, which now labels maritime areas near the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea.
Pavel Prass, co-owner of Yandex, is set to increase his stake in rival VK, signaling consolidation in Russia’s tech sector. The move follows a $5.4 billion deal for Yandex's assets and VK's plan to raise up to 115 billion roubles to tackle mounting debt.
Google has laid off hundreds from its Android, Pixel, and Chrome teams as part of a major restructure, shifting focus towards AI and operational efficiency. The move reflects a broader Big Tech trend of prioritizing innovation over hardware.
France and Poland will sign a groundbreaking treaty on Friday to deepen cooperation on defence and energy, signaling a growing alignment among European nations.
In a notable shift from traditional Republican policy, President Donald Trump has proposed raising taxes on high-income earners to help finance broader tax cuts for middle- and working-class Americans.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a renewed drive to establish a unified capital market across the EU, aiming to unlock private investment for defence, digitalisation, and climate initiatives, with significant progress expected before summer.
Romania’s far-right presidential frontrunner George Simion said the country should be compensated for aiding Ukraine, as he clashed with centrist rival Nicusor Dan in a televised debate ahead of the decisive run-off vote.
India has proposed a steep reduction in average tariffs on U.S. goods - from nearly 13% to under 4% - in a strategic move to secure exemption from current and future tariff hikes under President Donald Trump, according to Indian officials familiar with the talks.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
For the first time in history, an American has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost is named pope.
Discover every major VE Day 80 event in Britain, 5‑8 May 2025—from London’s parade and fly‑past to street parties, concerts and museum exhibitions.
Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has announced it will no longer sell goods directly from China to U.S. customers, shifting instead to U.S.-based sellers amid the closure of a long-criticized customs loophole.
Cardinals from 70 nations have gathered in Vatican City to begin the historic conclave to elect the next pope, following the death of Pope Francis 17 days ago. This conclave is the most geographically diverse in Church history, showcasing Francis’ legacy of inclusivity.
France and Poland will sign a groundbreaking treaty on Friday to deepen cooperation on defence and energy, signaling a growing alignment among European nations.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a renewed drive to establish a unified capital market across the EU, aiming to unlock private investment for defence, digitalisation, and climate initiatives, with significant progress expected before summer.
Romania’s far-right presidential frontrunner George Simion said the country should be compensated for aiding Ukraine, as he clashed with centrist rival Nicusor Dan in a televised debate ahead of the decisive run-off vote.
India has proposed a steep reduction in average tariffs on U.S. goods - from nearly 13% to under 4% - in a strategic move to secure exemption from current and future tariff hikes under President Donald Trump, according to Indian officials familiar with the talks.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a rare public visit to the Russian embassy in Pyongyang alongside his daughter on Friday, joining in celebrations for Victory Day and reaffirming his commitment to deepening the strategic alliance between North Korea and Russia.
France and Poland will sign a groundbreaking treaty on Friday to deepen cooperation on defence and energy, signaling a growing alignment among European nations.
In a notable shift from traditional Republican policy, President Donald Trump has proposed raising taxes on high-income earners to help finance broader tax cuts for middle- and working-class Americans.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a renewed drive to establish a unified capital market across the EU, aiming to unlock private investment for defence, digitalisation, and climate initiatives, with significant progress expected before summer.
Romania’s far-right presidential frontrunner George Simion said the country should be compensated for aiding Ukraine, as he clashed with centrist rival Nicusor Dan in a televised debate ahead of the decisive run-off vote.
India has proposed a steep reduction in average tariffs on U.S. goods - from nearly 13% to under 4% - in a strategic move to secure exemption from current and future tariff hikes under President Donald Trump, according to Indian officials familiar with the talks.
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