Judge orders changes to Google’s digital ads business but spares it from a breakup

A federal judge has ordered Google to modify its digital advertising system, rejecting the U.S. government's request to break up the company's ad tech business. This decision marks the second time in a year that Google has avoided a major restructuring proposed by the Justice Department. The judge's full ruling, detailing specific remedies, will be kept confidential for two weeks. Google expressed satisfaction with the outcome, while critics condemned the decision, arguing it allows Google to continue monopolistic practices. The Justice Department had warned that allowing Google to retain its ad technology could enable it to manipulate algorithms. Google countered that its ad tech is essential for publishers and consumers.

A US judge has rejected the Justice Department's bid to break up Google's advertising technology business. US Judge Leonie Brinkema in Alexandria, Virginia, declined to force Google to sell its AdX platform, where publishers pay Google a fee to sell ads. The Justice Department had argued Google could not be trusted to run the exchange, following a previous ruling that Google had illegally monopolized and tied together parts of its ad tech "stack." While the judge accepted behavioral remedies, the specific details of how Google must change its ad business remain under seal for 14 days. This marks the third instance in recent years where US antitrust enforcers have attempted and failed to force a breakup of a major tech company.