Justice Department Demands Google Ad Business Breakup Amid Antitrust Push

The Justice Department is intensifying its efforts to dismantle Google’s dominant advertising technology business, signaling a significant escalation in the government’s antitrust campaign against the tech giant. This move follows a previous ruling that found Google illegally monopolized parts of the digital advertising market, with the government arguing that leaving Google’s current market share unchecked is "too dangerous."

Justice Department’s Bold Move

The Justice Department has formally requested a federal judge to break up Google’s advertising technology operations. This action marks the second major government attempt within a year to fundamentally alter the $2 trillion company’s structure. The proposal targets Google’s ad exchange and publisher tools, aiming to force divestitures that could reshape online advertising.

Key Takeaways

• The DOJ is pushing for Google to divest key components of its online advertising system.
• A federal judge previously ruled that Google illegally monopolized parts of the digital advertising market.
• Google argues that a breakup is "impossible" and would harm consumers and national security.
• The government contends that Google’s market dominance is "too dangerous."

Google’s Defense and Counterarguments

Google has strongly opposed the breakup proposal, asserting that it is "very likely completely impossible" without causing significant disruption. The company argues that divesting these technologies would eliminate crucial security and privacy protections. Instead, Google has proposed changes to its business practices and opening its ad auction system to benefit publishers.

Broader Antitrust Landscape

This latest action is part of a larger trend of increased antitrust scrutiny on major tech companies. The Justice Department is also pursuing a separate case seeking to force Google to sell its Chrome browser due to monopolistic behavior in the search market. These cases, if successful, could lead to the most significant government-mandated corporate restructuring since the breakup of AT&T in the 1980s. The administration’s approach to tech regulation is being closely watched, with other cases targeting Apple, Meta, and Amazon also in play.

Google’s ‘China Warning’

Google has also invoked a "China Warning," arguing that government overreach in breaking up the company would hinder its ability to compete globally, particularly against Chinese AI rivals. The company contends that such measures would "hamstring" its innovation and negatively impact America’s technological leadership in the critical AI race.

Sources

• Get breaking news from TechCentral in WhatsApp, TechCentral.
• Breaking up Google, Tesla’s robotaxi reveal, and everything Nvidia: Tech news roundup, Quartz.
• US government to court: Not breaking Google’s ad tech business is ‘frankly, too dangerous’, Times of India.
• Google has a ‘China Warning’ for America on breaking up the company, Times of India.