Tech Desk 
Apr 18, 2025
An undated image. — Unsplash
In a ruling which might force the tech giant to split its advertising business, Google has been found guilty of illegally dominating key online advertising markets.
Standing as another major antitrust blow to the company, the verdict was issued by US District Judge Leonie Brinkema on Thursday, Reuters reported.
The Virginia court found that Google “wilfully acquired and maintained monopoly power” in two areas: publisher ad servers and ad exchanges. Both of these systems help websites sell digital advertising and are crucial for publishers to monetise content online.
Google’s this approach harmed rivals, publishers, and consumers, Judge Brinkema noted. “In addition to depriving rivals of the ability to compete, this exclusionary conduct substantially harmed Google's publisher customers, the competitive process, and, ultimately, consumers of information on the open web,” she wrote.
The judge's decision has reportedly paved the way for a future trial, which could possibly lead to the divestiture of Google's ad divisions, including Google Ad Manager. Google maintained that it would challenge the decision.
“We won half of this case and we will appeal the other half,” said Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s VP of regulatory affairs, adding that their tools were “simple, affordable and effective.”
Following the ruling, Google shares plunged 1.4%. Although financial damage could be limited, the outcome is expected to change the digital ad market and how Big Tech firms will be regulation in future.
