A U.S. federal judge, Amit Mehta, has ruled that Google violated antitrust laws by maintaining an illegal monopoly over internet search services and advertising. The decision marks a significant victory for the Justice Department and could lead to substantial changes in Google's business practices, though the specific penalties are yet to be determined. Judge Mehta highlighted Google's monopolistic tactics, including exclusive contracts with Apple and other companies to make Google's search engine the default, which stifled competition. Google plans to appeal the decision, arguing that its market dominance is due to the quality of its search engine. The ruling may lead to increased regulatory scrutiny on other major tech firms and potentially reshape the online search market. A separate trial focusing on Google's advertising practices is scheduled for later this year.