U.S. Government Proceeds with Google Ad Tech Antitrust Trial September 22

U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema has scheduled a remedies trial for September 22 in Alexandria, Virginia, to determine how to address Google's illegal monopoly in the online advertising market. The U.S. government is pushing for the breakup of Google's ad tech business, arguing that behavioral changes are insufficient and that divestiture of key ad operations is necessary to restore competition. Judge Brinkema had previously ruled that Google willfully acquired and maintained monopoly power in the ad tech sector. Google has countered by proposing binding commitments and information-sharing agreements rather than divestment, but the judge appeared skeptical of these alternatives. The outcome of the trial could significantly affect the rapidly growing global digital advertising market and reshape the sector's competitive dynamics.