Google Avoids Ad-Business Breakup, Judge Orders Operational Changes

Google escaped a court‑ordered breakup of its advertising operation, but on Wednesday U.S. District Judge James Donato warned that the company must modify its practices to give rivals a fair chance in the market. The ruling concluded the Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit, which had sought to dismantle Google’s dominant position in online ad auctions and data‑driven targeting services.

While dismissing the request for a structural remedy, the judge ordered Google to revise its contractual terms, data‑sharing policies and pricing structures to eliminate barriers that disadvantage competing ad platforms. The decision leaves the government with the option to appeal the order and signals that future regulatory scrutiny will focus on the company’s conduct rather than its size. Google is expected to submit a compliance plan within 90 days, setting the stage for ongoing oversight of its ad‑tech ecosystem.