A federal judge has blocked the Justice Department’s push to dismantle Google’s ad-technology business, ruling instead that the company must alter its practices to level the playing field for competitors.
The decision, handed down Wednesday by Judge Leonie M. Brinkema, follows a 2024 ruling that found Google illegally maintained its monopoly in ad-tech. While the company avoided forced divestiture, it must now end exclusive default-placement deals and share certain search data with rivals. Google immediately hailed the outcome, calling it a victory for small businesses that rely on its tools.
The ruling stems from years of antitrust scrutiny, including a 2023 case targeting Google’s ad-tech dominance. The judge’s full written opinion remains sealed for 14 days, leaving specifics of the required changes unclear. Google is already appealing earlier remedies in a separate case, signaling continued legal battles ahead.
