Federal Judge Rules Google Can Keep Its Advertising Business Intact

A federal judge has ruled that Google will not need to break up its advertising operations but must change its business practices. U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema, in a sealed decision, previously found that Google had engaged in anti-competitive actions to maintain monopoly power in the online advertising sector. Despite ongoing legal challenges regarding its dominance, including many since the Obama administration, the judge determined that Google does not need to sell off parts of its ad exchange, a remedy sought by the U.S. Department of Justice. Google argued that such a sale would harm consumers, and the judge acknowledged concerns about the implications of selling these assets. Other major tech companies like Meta and Amazon have similarly avoided breakups amid legal scrutiny.