Story perspectives

DOJ Challenges Google's Ad Tech Monopoly in Federal Hearing

9/22/2025

Summary

Story summary

Google faces a federal hearing on its advertising technology monopoly after a ruling spared it in search; the trial lasts two to three weeks.
Judge Leonie Brinkema will assess remedies; the Department of Justice (DOJ) argues the ad tech remains monopolistic.
DOJ seeks to force Google to sell ad exchange software and share auction code; Google calls the proposals extreme.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft in 2000 accused the company of monopolistic practices, leading to a settlement that required sharing application programming interfaces. This historical scrutiny of tech giants continues today, as the DOJ investigates Google for similar concerns regarding its advertising technology, potentially reshaping the digital advertising landscape and influencing how major tech companies operate.

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Story summary

Google faces a federal hearing on its advertising technology monopoly after a ruling spared it in search; the trial lasts two to three weeks.
Judge Leonie Brinkema will assess remedies; the Department of Justice (DOJ) argues the ad tech remains monopolistic.
DOJ seeks to force Google to sell ad exchange software and share auction code; Google calls the proposals extreme.

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