Lawsuit Could Break Up Google Over Anticompetitive Practices in Digital Ads Market

The U.S. Department of Justice and several states filed a lawsuit against Google alleging that it illegally monopolized the market for online ads through years of self-dealing, anticompetitive acquisitions, and forcing businesses to use the products and services that it offers. The lawsuit could lead to a breakup of Google’s advertising business.

Matt Kent, competition policy advocate for Public Citizen, released the following statement:

“Nowhere is Big Tech’s monopoly power more apparent than in Google’s domination of the digital advertising market. One company cannot be permitted to control every layer of the market that, for better or worse, is the lifeblood of online commerce and our digital lives. The Justice Department is continuing its strong trend under AAG Kanter of taking on monopolists rather than negotiating with them.”