US Justice Department sues Google over digital advertising monopoly

The US Justice Department and eight American states filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google on Tuesday.

The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, claims Google is “monopolizing multiple digital advertising technology products” which violates Sections One and Two of antitrust legislation, the Sherman Act.

Through legal action, the US Justice Department and state Attorneys General of California, Colorado, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennesse, and Virginia seek to “restore competition” in digital advertising technologies, and “obtain equitable and monetary relief on behalf of the American public”.

In a statement, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said: “Today’s complaint alleges that Google has used anticompetitive, exclusionary, and unlawful conduct to eliminate or severely diminish any threat to its dominance over digital advertising technologies.

“No matter the industry and no matter the company, the Justice Department will vigorously enforce our antitrust laws to protect consumers, safeguard competition, and ensure economic fairness and opportunity for all.”