A federal judge rejected the DOJ's bid to force Google to sell parts of its ad tech business.
Why it matters: The ruling is a major win for Google in a closely watched antitrust fight over digital ads. It also signals how far U.S. enforcers may be able to push for structural breakups in Big Tech cases.
- On Sept. 2, 2026, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema rejected the DOJ's breakup request in the Eastern District of Virginia.
- Brinkema instead chose narrower behavioral remedies and said she would adopt most of the parties' proposed changes with modifications.
- The DOJ had sought divestiture of AdX and parts of Google's publisher ad-server business after Brinkema's liability ruling.
- The remedies opinion was temporarily sealed for 14 days so the parties could review and propose redactions.
U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema declined to order Google to sell off parts of its ad tech business in the government's monopoly case, instead opting for behavioral fixes, according to The Verge and AP.
The Justice Department had argued Google should divest AdX and parts of its publisher ad-server business after Brinkema previously found the company illegally monopolized publisher ad servers and ad exchanges and unlawfully tied DFP and AdX, the filings show in the case docket.
Reporting on the ruling says the likely remedies include limits on self-preferencing in ad auctions and requirements that rival ad tech tools get equal access to real-time information Google sees in those auctions.
Brinkema said she would adopt most of the parties' proposed changes, with modifications, but the full remedies opinion remains temporarily sealed for 14 days while redactions are reviewed. That means the exact final order is not yet public.
Google said it was pleased the court rejected the DOJ's breakup proposal. Lee-Anne Mulholland, the company's vice president for regulatory affairs, said: "We’re very pleased the Court rejected the DOJ’s proposal to break apart tools that help small businesses reach new customers and grow." The DOJ said it was pleased the court ordered substantial relief and said it was "evaluating appropriate next steps."
The case began with a Jan. 24, 2023 complaint by the United States and several plaintiff states, and Brinkema's liability ruling came on April 17, 2025. The remedies fight now shifts to the final wording of the order and whether either side appeals.
By the numbers
- Jan. 24, 2023 - The DOJ and plaintiff states filed the case against Google.
- April 17, 2025 - Brinkema found Google liable for monopolizing publisher ad server and ad exchange markets.
- Sept. 2, 2026 - Brinkema issued the remedies ruling.
Yes, but: The exact remedies are not fully public yet because the opinion is sealed for redactions, so the final order could still change in the details.
What's next: The court's remedies opinion stays sealed for 14 days for proposed redactions. After that, the final order should become public, and the DOJ said it is evaluating next steps.