Judge Questions Feasibility of Forced Google Ad-Tech Divestiture in DOJ Case

Judge Leonie Brinkema of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia signaled a potential 2026 ruling timeline in the DOJ's antitrust case against Google's ad-tech monopoly. The court raised pointed questions about the practicality of mandating a sale of the tech giant's ad exchange infrastructure, citing buyer scarcity and implementation hurdles.

Prosecutors pushed for structural remedies, demanding Google divest its dominant ad exchange technology. The company countered with proposed behavioral adjustments, arguing these would sufficiently address competition concerns. Legal observers note Brinkema's skepticism toward forced divestiture mirrors judicial hesitancy seen in previous Big Tech antitrust cases.

The ruling comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny of tech platforms' market power. While the court previously found Google monopolized publisher tools, the path to meaningful remedy remains contested. Antitrust experts suggest behavioral conditions may prevail over structural interventions in the final judgment.