Google Faces Major Antitrust Ruling, Court Confirms Monopoly in Ad Tech

A federal judge has ruled that Google illegally maintained monopolies in key online advertising technology markets by tying its publisher ad server and ad exchange together, marking the company's second major antitrust defeat within a year. The court found that Google engaged in deliberate anticompetitive practices over more than a decade, harming publishers, advertisers, and ultimately internet users by reducing competition and driving up costs. While Google was found to have monopoly power in ad exchanges and publisher ad servers, the judge ruled it did not monopolize the market for advertiser tools. The Department of Justice and several states led the case, with potential remedies—including a forced divestiture of parts of Google's ad business—yet to be determined. Google has stated it will appeal the decision. The ruling adds to Google's mounting legal troubles, as a separate trial over its dominance in online search is also underway.