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U.S. judge denies breakup of Google’s advertising business

A federal judge in the United States denied the government's request to separate Google’s advertising division, proposing regulatory measures instead.

2 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: U.S. judge denies breakup of Google’s advertising business — Archive photoPhoto: Senado Federal · Flickr · BY

On Wednesday, a federal court judge in Alexandria, Virginia, rejected the United States Department of Justice's request to break up Google's online advertising business. Judge Leonie Brinkema argued in favor of implementing regulatory rules instead of splitting the company's advertising operation, suggesting that changes in the system would be more effective.

The U.S. government had sought the breakup of Google’s advertising division in a legal process aimed at addressing issues related to the online tools developed by the company, which are used by publishers to sell advertising space. This decision is significant as the government anticipated that separation would help address competitive concerns in the market.

This is not the first time U.S. courts have rejected similar requests. The dismissal of the lawsuit represents a setback for the government, which was looking for more drastic measures. Judge Brinkema, in her verdict, maintained that regulations could be more suitable for dealing with the company's practices, a move that was well-received by market advocates.

Following the decision, Google will remain a single entity regarding its advertising business, although now under the expectation that the company will implement the newly proposed regulations. This regulatory approach seeks to monitor and adjust business practices without the need for a breakup.

The ruling raised questions about the effectiveness of handling monopolies in digital advertising. Critics argued that maintaining Google's current structure allows the company to retain its substantial market power, as it continues to be one of the major players in the advertising sector worldwide.

In summary, the judge's decision marks a new phase in the discourse on regulating technology companies, where the focus may shift from invasive actions like breakups to a more regulation-oriented model.

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