A federal judge slams Google for engaging in illegal monopolies in critical digital ad markets, potentially opening the door for prosecutors to break up the tech giant’s advertising empire. The ruling delivers a severe blow to the left-leaning Silicon Valley power player, marking a significant victory for free-market advocates and consumers burdened by Big Tech’s overreach.
Big Tech’s Grip on Digital Advertising Under Fire
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled Thursday that Google illegally dominated two crucial markets for online advertising technology. The landmark decision found Google liable for maintaining monopoly power in both publisher ad servers and ad exchanges, potentially forcing the tech giant to sell off parts of its massive digital advertising business.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has proposed significant measures to address $GOOG $GOOGL Google's alleged monopoly in online search, including the divestiture of its Chrome browser. Key details from the DOJ's filing include:
🏛️ Legal Action Overview
– DOJ and 11 state…— Mandeep Bhullar (@mbhullar) November 22, 2024
The ruling represents a significant victory for conservatives who have long been concerned about the unchecked power of Silicon Valley corporations over American commerce and free speech. Google’s parent company, Alphabet, saw its shares fall 1.2% following the announcement, with market analysts predicting a likely breakup of Google’s digital advertising business.
Justice Department Seeks Breakup of Google’s Ad Empire
The Justice Department is pushing for Google to sell its Google Ad Manager, which includes both the publisher ad server and ad exchange, deemed monopolistic by the court. DOJ attorneys presented evidence that Google abuses its market power by taking up to 35 cents per dollar spent on its advertising platforms, directly harming publishers, advertisers, and ultimately consumers.
This! 👇🏻🧐 Thanks judge! I think we kind of already knew that! #DrainTheSwamp #GoogleMonopoly https://t.co/OnXRub4QnX pic.twitter.com/mNggakQNAH
— Pops (@UPMHPM) April 17, 2025
Judge Brinkema’s ruling was unequivocal in its condemnation of Google’s business practices. She stated that “Google further entrenched its monopoly power by imposing anticompetitive practices on its customers and eliminating desirable product features.”
Second Major Antitrust Loss for Google
This ruling follows a previous case in which Google was found to have an illegal monopoly in the online search market. A separate trial in Washington will address the Justice Department’s request for Google to sell its Chrome browser and alter its dominance in online search, potentially dealing further blows to the tech giant’s business model.
“This ruling is an unequivocal win for the American people that will help lower prices, increase competition, and lead to a better internet for everyone,” said Sacha Howarth, a spokesperson for the Justice Department.
A second trial phase will determine specific remedies for Google’s alleged monopolistic practices, with options ranging from a forced breakup to behavioral remedies that ensure fair competition. Google plans to appeal part of the ruling, with company spokesperson Lee-Anne Mulholland claiming, “We won half of this case and we will appeal the other half,” while defending their ad tech tools as “simple, affordable, and effective.”
Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/apr/17/google-illegal-monopoly-ad-tech