Google is a monopoly in online ad tech, federal judge rules

A federal judge ruled that Google illegally monopolized online advertising, harming competitors and consumers. The ruling stems from a Justice Department lawsuit alleging anti-competitive practices. The judge found Google's actions substantially harmed publishers and the competitive process. Google holds a significant market share in ad-selling technology, approximately 87 percent. The government argued Google forced publishers to use its ad software, impacting their revenue. This negatively affected news organizations already struggling financially. A portion of the government's case was dismissed, and Google plans to appeal. Another judge previously ruled Google monopolizes online search, potentially leading to a company breakup. The advertising ruling similarly calls for Google to divest parts of its ad tech business. Google's future depends heavily on the outcomes of these ongoing legal battles. Both rulings could significantly reshape the online advertising and search landscapes.