The Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice has successfully concluded its second monopolization case against Google, with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ruling that Google violated antitrust laws by monopolizing open-web digital advertising markets.

According to the court's findings, Google's actions have negatively impacted its publishing customers, the competitive process, and ultimately consumers who rely on information from the open web. Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized the importance of this ruling in the ongoing battle against Google's monopolistic practices, asserting that the Department of Justice will continue to take decisive legal action to safeguard free speech and free markets.

Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater highlighted the court's clear stance that Google is a monopolist that has abused its power, allowing the company to censor and deplatform voices in America. The ruling also pointed out that Google has engaged in practices that concealed information about its illegal activities, reinforcing its control over online advertising and the internet.

This landmark decision follows a 15-day trial held in September 2024, stemming from a civil antitrust lawsuit filed in January 2023 by the Justice Department and several state Attorneys General. The lawsuit accused Google of monopolizing essential digital advertising technologies, known as the “ad tech stack,” which website publishers rely on to buy and sell ads. The complaint alleged that through various acquisitions and manipulative auction practices, Google has undermined competition for over 15 years, leading to the neutralization or elimination of its ad tech competitors.