US v. Google redux: all the news from the ad tech trial

Google and the Department of Justice faced off again in a trial regarding whether Google has a monopoly in the advertising technology market. The trial started last fall in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, and on April 17th, 2025, Judge Brinkema ruled that Google did act illegally to acquire and maintain monopoly power in […]

Apr 17, 2025 - 16:17

US v. Google redux: all the news from the ad tech trial

Google and the Department of Justice faced off again in a trial regarding whether Google has a monopoly in the advertising technology market. The trial started last fall in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, and on April 17th, 2025, Judge Brinkema ruled that Google did act illegally to acquire and maintain monopoly power in online advertising.

The DOJ argued that Google unfairly locked up the market for ad tech tools that publishers and advertisers rely on to monetize their websites and market their goods. Google responded that it created efficient products that work well for customers and said it faced plenty of competition.

This partial loss for Google comes on the heels of a historic ruling in favor of the government in a different antitrust trial against Google before a different judge. There, a DC District Court judge ruled Google had illegally monopolized the online search market. So, while the ad tech case plays out, the government is simultaneously requesting ground-shaking remedies to restore competition in search.

Read on below for all of the updates and notes from the case.