Google Ad Tech Business Spared Breakup Despite Antitrust Violations

A federal judge has rejected a proposal to break up Google's ad tech business, despite finding that the company violated antitrust laws. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema made this decision in a ruling handed down on Wednesday, citing concerns about the impact of breaking apart the business could have on small businesses.

The Department of Justice had proposed divesting key programs from Google's ad tech division, including AdX and Double Click for Publishers' final auction logic. Prosecutors argued that these programs allowed Google to maintain an ad-tech monopoly and substantially harmed its publisher customers and the competitive process.

However, Brinkema accepted modified versions of the DOJ's proposals for behavioral remedies, which will be filed jointly by both parties within 30 days. The judge also noted that more briefings or oral arguments could be necessary if attorneys cannot resolve their differences.

Google welcomed the decision, with Vice President Lee-Anne Mulholland stating that it was 'pleased the court did not break apart tools that help small businesses reach new customers and grow.' However, rival companies are seeking damages based on the court's ruling, including ad tech firm PubMatic, which sued Google in 2025 for over $1 billion.