US antitrust case against Google's ad business
On May 9, 2026, a court denied Google's request to pause the enforcement of remedies in its search monopoly case, which includes provisions for data sharing and syndication with competitors. As of May 9, 2026: Google must proceed with implementing these remedies while it appeals a broader ruling. This follows a March 13, 2026, federal judge's order for Google to pay $20 billion in damages and implement significant changes, including prohibiting exclusive contracts for its search engine, Chrome, Google Assistant, and Gemini app, and requiring data sharing with rivals. The U.S. Department of Justice also announced a settlement with Google on April 24, 2026, over the illegal monopolization of digital advertising markets, and is planning a new civil antitrust lawsuit to break up Google's ad tech business by early next year.
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May 2026 — 2 developments
A court denied Google's request to pause the enforcement of remedies in its search monopoly case, which includes provisions for data sharing and syndication with competitors.
A court denied Google's request to pause the enforcement of remedies in its search monopoly case, which includes provisions for data sharing and syndication with competitors. The company sought to delay these provisions while it appeals a broader ruling, but the court found that Google had not demonstrated imminent irreparable harm.
The Justice Department requested a federal judge to block Google from accessing confidential data from third-party competitors.
The Justice Department requested a federal judge to block Google from accessing confidential data from third-party competitors. The DOJ argued that Google's access to this data could undermine competition by having a chilling effect on actual or potential competitors. This action is part of the process for approving Google's review of its search index as a potential remedy.
April 2026 — 3 developments
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced a settlement with Google over the illegal monopolizatio…
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced a settlement with Google over the illegal monopolization of digital advertising markets, following a federal judge's ruling in April 2025 that Google violated antitrust laws. In a separate case, a judge ruled in August 2024 that Google held monopoly power in general search engine services and unlawfully used it to drive up ad prices, though Google will not be required to divest Chrome or Android.
The U.S. Department of Justice and 38 states have appealed a judge's order sanctioning Google over a…
The U.S. Department of Justice and 38 states have appealed a judge's order sanctioning Google over antitrust violations, challenging restrictions that allowed Google to retain ownership of Chrome and Android. Yelp supports the appeal, arguing the ruling imposed only modest restrictions on Google's search engine and AI contracts.
The U.S. Department of Justice plans to file a new civil antitrust lawsuit seeking to break up Googl…
The U.S. Department of Justice plans to file a new civil antitrust lawsuit seeking to break up Google's ad tech business. This action is separate from ongoing appeals and previous rulings in existing antitrust cases against the company. The DOJ expects to file its lawsuit by early next year.
March 2026 — 3 developments
Google's ad billing changes are reportedly negatively impacting small businesses, with these issues being linked to the company's established search monopoly.
Google's ad billing changes are reportedly negatively impacting small businesses, with these issues being linked to the company's established search monopoly. This development emerges following the U.S. Department of Justice's appeal of a previous ruling in its antitrust case against Google.
The U.S. Department of Justice is considering a significant escalation in its antitrust case against…
The U.S. Department of Justice is considering a significant escalation in its antitrust case against Google, contemplating a court order for the company to sell parts of its business, such as the Chrome browser or Android operating system, to dismantle its search monopoly. This potential move comes as both the government and Google are appealing aspects of previous rulings on antitrust remedies, with the government seeking harsher measures.
A federal judge has ordered Google to pay $20 billion in damages and implement significant changes in its antitrust case concerning its search engine monopoly.
A federal judge has ordered Google to pay $20 billion in damages and implement significant changes in its antitrust case concerning its search engine monopoly. The ruling prohibits Google from exclusive contracts for its search engine, Chrome, Google Assistant, and Gemini app, and requires it to share search index and user interaction data with rivals to foster competition.
February 2026 — 3 developments
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a cross-appeal against a federal court's ruling in the anti…
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a cross-appeal against a federal court's ruling in the antitrust case concerning Google's search monopoly. This appeal challenges the remedies decisions previously made in the lawsuit, which accused Google of unlawfully monopolizing internet search and search advertising.
The U.S. government and a coalition of states, led by Colorado, have appealed a federal judge's ruli…
The U.S. government and a coalition of states, led by Colorado, have appealed a federal judge's ruling in the antitrust case against Google's search business and AI apps. They argue that the imposed limitations on Google were too lenient and seek harsher remedies, potentially including the divestiture of Chrome.
Publishers are filing more antitrust lawsuits against Google, and a judge has expressed doubts about forcing Google to divest its ad tech business, potentially delaying the outcome.
Publishers are filing more antitrust lawsuits against Google, and a judge has expressed doubts about forcing Google to divest its ad tech business, potentially delaying the outcome.
January 2026 — 2 developments
The remedies decision in the Google Adtech antitrust case is pending, with the Department of Justice having requested the divestiture of Google's AdX exchange.
The remedies decision in the Google Adtech antitrust case is pending, with the Department of Justice having requested the divestiture of Google's AdX exchange. Google has opposed this, filing a memorandum proposing behavioral remedies instead of a breakup of its ad technology.
Google filed a motion to pause the antitrust remedies, with its head of Search arguing that forcing …
Google filed a motion to pause the antitrust remedies, with its head of Search arguing that forcing the company to share its search index and ranking data with competitors would cause "immediate and irreparable harm."
November 2025 — 1 developments
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema expressed doubts about the speed of divesting Google's ad tech a…
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema expressed doubts about the speed of divesting Google's ad tech arm, noting that Google is likely to appeal and that behavioral remedies might be more practical. Attorneys made final arguments on November 21, 2025, in the case where the DOJ seeks the divestiture of Google's ad-tech business to restore competition.
September 2025 — 1 developments
Judge Mehta issued his ruling on remedies, prohibiting Google from entering or maintaining exclusive…
Judge Mehta issued his ruling on remedies, prohibiting Google from entering or maintaining exclusive contracts for Google Search, Chrome, Google Assistant, and the Gemini app, and requiring Google to share certain search index and user interaction data with rivals. However, he rejected the DOJ's request to divest Chrome or Android.
April 2025 — 3 developments
The remedies trial for the search antitrust case began, with federal prosecutors advocating for stro…
The remedies trial for the search antitrust case began, with federal prosecutors advocating for strong measures to prevent Google from extending its market control, especially into the AI era.
A U.S. District Court ruled on April 17, 2025, that Google illegally monopolized key digital adverti…
A U.S. District Court ruled on April 17, 2025, that Google illegally monopolized key digital advertising markets, finding the company guilty of monopolizing open-web digital advertising markets. This decision, which followed a 15-day trial, determined that Google's actions harmed publishers, competition, and consumers. The Justice Department had filed the lawsuit in January 2023, alleging anticompetitive practices through acquisitions and auction manipulation.
In a separate but related antitrust case, a federal judge ruled that Google illegally monopolized the online ad tech industry, finding violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
In a separate but related antitrust case, a federal judge ruled that Google illegally monopolized the online ad tech industry, finding violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
September 2024 — 1 developments
Judge Mehta set a timeline for the remedies phase, instructing the DOJ to submit its proposals for penalties by December 2024.
Judge Mehta set a timeline for the remedies phase, instructing the DOJ to submit its proposals for penalties by December 2024.
August 2024 — 2 developments
A federal judge has ruled that Alphabet, Google's parent company, violated antitrust laws by reinforcing its dominance in online search and advertising.
A federal judge has ruled that Alphabet, Google's parent company, violated antitrust laws by reinforcing its dominance in online search and advertising. This ruling, the Justice Department's first such victory in over two decades, opens the door for a second trial to determine remedies. The DOJ has proposed that Google divest its AdX advertising marketplace and ad server DFP to address its illegal monopoly in ad-tech markets.
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google illegally monopolized the search engine and search …
U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google illegally monopolized the search engine and search advertising markets, finding that the company violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act.
September 2023 — 1 developments
The bench trial in the U.
The bench trial in the U.S. v. Google antitrust case began, examining Google's practices to maintain its dominance in online search.