A federal judge ruled that Google violated antitrust laws by maintaining a monopoly in online search and advertising. The decision follows accusations by the Justice Department and several state attorneys general, who argued that Google secured its dominance through exclusive agreements with companies like Apple, making Google the default search engine on their devices. The court found that these agreements hindered competition and deprived rivals of the opportunity to challenge Google’s market position. The ruling could lead to significant structural changes within Google to prevent future anticompetitive behavior, marking a pivotal moment in regulating big tech companies.
