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.
Mexico is suing Google for disregarding repeated requests to stop referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" for U.S. users on Google Maps.
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.
From May 13–24, the 78th Cannes Film Festival brings together veteran auteurs like Wes Anderson and breakout talents such as Ari Aster, alongside Hollywood heavyweights—from Tom Cruise to Emma Stone—on a red carpet primed for glamour and cinematic competition.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has arrived in Kazakhstan for an official visit, paving the way for stronger bilateral relations.
Eurovision hopefuls hit the turquoise carpet in Basel as Switzerland hosts the song contest for the first time since 1989—setting the stage for a week of music, unity, and glitter.
Qatar has denied reports of gifting a luxury jet to President Trump for use as Air Force One, stating the matter is still under legal review with no final decision made.
Hamas has released a hostage, identified as Alexander, in what it described as a goodwill gesture toward U.S. President Donald Trump. The confirmation came late Sunday from Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in a message to the Associated Press.
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.
A Rafale fighter jet operated by the Indian Air Force has reportedly been shot down for the first time in combat, according to sources cited by CNN, marking a significant and symbolic development in the ongoing escalation between India and Pakistan.
Pope Leo XIV made a surprise visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano. AnewZ covered the event, with journalist Maria Rodriguez Abalde on-site. She witnessed the occasion firsthand and documented key moments. More images and footage will be available soon.
President Donald Trump is set to begin his Middle East tour, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. The trip aims to boost trade and investment, with a focus on energy, defense, and technology deals, including a $1 trillion commitment from Saudi Arabia.
From May 13–24, the 78th Cannes Film Festival brings together veteran auteurs like Wes Anderson and breakout talents such as Ari Aster, alongside Hollywood heavyweights—from Tom Cruise to Emma Stone—on a red carpet primed for glamour and cinematic competition.
Qatar has denied reports of gifting a luxury jet to President Trump for use as Air Force One, stating the matter is still under legal review with no final decision made.
Hamas has released a hostage, identified as Alexander, in what it described as a goodwill gesture toward U.S. President Donald Trump. The confirmation came late Sunday from Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in a message to the Associated Press.
U.S. and Chinese officials reported "substantial progress" in tariff negotiations held in Geneva, though specific details remain scarce. A joint statement is expected to be released on Monday.
From May 13–24, the 78th Cannes Film Festival brings together veteran auteurs like Wes Anderson and breakout talents such as Ari Aster, alongside Hollywood heavyweights—from Tom Cruise to Emma Stone—on a red carpet primed for glamour and cinematic competition.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has arrived in Kazakhstan for an official visit, paving the way for stronger bilateral relations.
Eurovision hopefuls hit the turquoise carpet in Basel as Switzerland hosts the song contest for the first time since 1989—setting the stage for a week of music, unity, and glitter.
Qatar has denied reports of gifting a luxury jet to President Trump for use as Air Force One, stating the matter is still under legal review with no final decision made.
Hamas has released a hostage, identified as Alexander, in what it described as a goodwill gesture toward U.S. President Donald Trump. The confirmation came late Sunday from Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in a message to the Associated Press.
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