US Judge Rejects Justice Department's Push to Break Up Google's Ad Tech Business

The US government has been scrutinizing Google's advertising business for years, arguing that the company holds too much power over digital ads. In 2023, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit seeking to force Google to sell parts of its ad tech operations. Regulators claimed that Google used its dominant position to stifle competition and control key parts of the online advertising market.

This case followed earlier antitrust actions against other tech giants, but Google's ad business, which generates tens of billions in revenue each year, has often been cited as a central concern for regulators. The government hoped that breaking up Google's ad exchange would open the market to more competition.

On September 2, 2026, US District Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled against the Justice Department's request to force Google to sell its ad tech business, according to Notícias ao Minuto and several other outlets. Instead of ordering a breakup, Judge Brinkema said she preferred a set of regulatory measures to oversee Google's advertising operations.

The BBC and The Verge reported that this was the third major antitrust defeat for US authorities in cases against Big Tech. The court's decision means Google can keep its ad exchange business, which plays a central role in the company's digital advertising empire.

The Verge noted that the court accepted less severe remedies that are intended to improve competition, though details of these measures have not been widely reported.

Previously, a judge had found that Google illegally monopolized parts of the ad tech market, according to Engadget. However, the latest ruling means Google is not required to divest any part of its business for now.

As of early September 2026, Google will not be forced to sell its ad exchange division. The decision is a significant win for Google and its parent company Alphabet, which continue to face antitrust scrutiny in the US and abroad. While the court did not impose the breakup sought by the government, it did leave the door open for regulatory oversight and other remedies aimed at increasing competition.

The Justice Department's loss highlights the difficulty regulators face in challenging the structure of major tech companies, even when courts agree that some monopolistic behavior occurred.

Attention will likely turn to the specific regulatory measures the court prefers and how they will be implemented. Ongoing scrutiny of Google's business practices means further legal challenges and regulatory actions remain possible, both in the US and internationally.