Alphabet Inc.’s Google has moved to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the U.S. government accusing the tech giant of engaging in anticompetitive behavior within the online advertising marketplace.
Filed in conjunction with eight states in January 2023, the lawsuit alleges that Google has abused its dominance in digital advertising, calling for the divestment of its ad manager suite.
In its defense, Google contends that the lawsuit oversteps the boundaries of antitrust law, arguing that its conduct does not violate existing regulations.
The company emphasizes that its actions, including business decisions and product enhancements, aim to benefit its customers and are lawful choices.
The lawsuit, which targets Google’s online advertising network—comprising ad manager and contributing 12% of the company’s revenue in 2021—is scheduled for trial in September before U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema in Virginia federal court.
Judge Brinkema retains the authority to narrow the scope of the lawsuit or dismiss it entirely prior to trial, while both parties have the option to seek summary judgment based on factual reviews.
Notably, the U.S. Department of Justice has yet to respond to Google’s filing contesting the lawsuit.
This legal battle adds to Google’s existing challenges, as it faces a separate trial slated for March 2025 in Texas federal court. The case, brought by Texas and other states, alleges Google’s abuse of its dominance in digital advertising, indicating ongoing regulatory scrutiny and legal hurdles for the tech giant.
