|By Babatunji Wusu-
-U.S. Court Declares Google Guilty of Digital Ad Monopoly
–DOJ Says Tech Giant Harmed Competition, Publishers, and Consumers
In a major blow to Big Tech dominance, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia has ruled that Google violated federal antitrust laws by monopolizing digital advertising technologies used on the open web.
According to the court, the tech giant’s actions harmed web publishers, distorted fair competition, and undermined the interests of consumers. The decision, issued following a September 2024 trial, marks a significant victory for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in its second monopolization case against Google.
In a statement on Thursday, the DOJ described the ruling as a “landmark victory” for its Antitrust Division. Attorney General Pamela Bondi reaffirmed the U.S. government’s commitment to dismantling illegal control by powerful tech firms.
“The DOJ will continue taking bold legal action to protect the American people from encroachments on free speech and free markets by tech companies,” Bondi stated.
Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater, who leads the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, said the ruling exposes Google as a monopolist that abused its power to dominate and control online advertising.
“Google’s unlawful dominance enables them to censor and deplatform Americans, and to destroy information that exposed its illegal conduct,” Slater said.
“Today’s opinion confirms Google’s controlling hand over online advertising and, increasingly, the internet itself.”
The court’s decision stems from a lawsuit filed in January 2023 by the DOJ and a coalition of state Attorneys General. The suit accused Google of monopolizing essential ad tech tools, commonly known as the “ad tech stack,” which publishers use to buy, sell, and optimize digital ads across the web.
For over 15 years, Google allegedly subverted competition through strategic acquisitions and manipulated digital ad auctions to favor its own systems, effectively shutting out rivals and consolidating its market dominance.
The ruling adds to mounting legal pressure on Google as U.S. regulators seek to restore competitive balance in the tech ecosystem and safeguard free expression and market fairness.
