The notion of "breaking up" Google, a company deeply embedded in the digital lives of billions, has proven to be an exceedingly complex and protracted endeavor for regulators worldwide. In 2025, the tech giant finds itself embroiled in multiple landmark antitrust battles across the United States and Europe, with courts delivering significant rulings that affirm its monopolistic practices, yet the path to effective remedies, particularly structural separation, remains fraught with technical, legal, and economic challenges.
U.S. Courts Affirm Google's Monopolies, Debate Remedies
In the United States, Google has faced pivotal judgments confirming its illegal dominance in key sectors. On August 5, 2025, Federal Judge Amit P. Mehta of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a landmark ruling, finding that Google illegally maintained its monopoly in the online search market, violating Section 2 of the Sherman Act [2](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFfXujLkbSCKPTb4JFTEDnCsESP4AjGrEYU2-tJN6TBYguWt4T1Ru_tj1uP0n1NvjcacejPwPn3EwokgS4vKbl2zbzrmsmlLD3LGMBj99mKtFLpEstR67j6RLh1uXpbBpHjJVe4VLRX8Xxcn_DGQJRjYlzhs6h5R_TBGEGiVXsaMS9SUV3AhVIqdSj2jGnzYdpt60X_I7VR14OO9lO8NEAk83vgcpbWV1BYUdGRTa0u3iAslPhOvjx4PN84M4bo5So-t0oc). The Department of Justice (DOJ) and several states had accused Google of making substantial payments to companies like Apple and Samsung to ensure Google remained the default search engine on devices and browsers, effectively stifling competition [2](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFfXujLkbSCKPTb4JFTEDnCsESP4AjGrEYU2-tJN6TBYguWt4T1Ru_tj1uP0n1NvjcacejPwPn3EwokgS4vKbl2zbzrmsmlLD3LGMBj99mKtFLpEstR67j6RLh1uXpbBpHjJVe4VLRX8Xxcn_DGQJRjYlzhs6h5R_TBGEGiVXsaMS9SUV3AhVIqdSj2jGnzYdpt60X_I7VR14OO9lO8NEAk83vgcpbWV1BYUdGRTa0u3iAslPhOvjx4PN84M4bo5So-t0oc), [3](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEeBmi0ioDG0xGlG5sq_JKLgp5P4C6-w1tEXga4thFakyt6F6EaXA16hBzt6stuXnGT35qe6_B4i3-2gjOoae-zSmkQCbF7qrLRFFdR9nkoxC6pPUsIDdBhu4w-NHUzxOdZm2lHDJDd3j1U7vURAWP5gV_43LYUGuGEeqdwQyWyq-4ZJIZl4fIH4Sdt).
Following this liability ruling, the focus shifted to remedies. While the DOJ had proposed drastic measures, including the divestiture of Google's Chrome browser and Android operating system [3](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEeBmi0ioDG0xGlG5sq_JKLgp5P4C6-w1tEXga4thFakyt6F6EaXA16hBzt6stuXnGT35qe6_B4i3-2gjOoae-zSmkQCbF7qrLRFFdR9nkoxC6pPUsIDdBhu4w-NHUzxOdZm2lHDJDd3j1U7vURAWP5gV_43LYUGuGEeqdwQyWyq-4ZJIZl4fIH4Sdt), [4](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGAq0DSZV46KoLjW0BUXvhfPxIcLGIzbdsib1d5NdkPqqIyfSXiwWJl1hJTSOf8849IOapI2UNMoeNzOUN5ohmiMuhG7PQcRLZihoIuP5r6961AtLECZN35Dz8p9uzPHI_SIniknN257vXIBDj4oyiANmd8hPLVrab7ODsCUUSeA5ZNQvPwN4a_OEqbpufhTm68iGtdug1aqFdqXCmJkBFNmA==), Judge Mehta's September 2, 2025, decision leaned away from a full structural breakup. Instead, the court prohibited Google from entering or maintaining exclusive contracts related to the distribution of Google Search, Chrome, Google Assistant, and the Gemini app. It also mandated that Google make certain search index and user-interaction data available to rivals and offer search and search text ad syndication services [5](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFYzYpkTs8CWnrvtf7GOIQ9DWZ_NSjmIFNnydrmJsHxp7Mr404GTsr0fuSiz9pS8XGmcUQOLANluwHxn-GeoA9JzvlGvRmdpu5c3vf1jlOAjvzB739UGjQhK7bMELuSIvdlqfMA7pAUBW0pmCW2wZeV5SMQgEvzrpKP_HrVqtRYDw3X3i5Fjjn_mcGUgD04MWTnnKttGw==). This decision, while significant, avoids the structural separation of core assets like Chrome and Android, which the judge had previously indicated would be a "hard case legally and factually" [3](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEeBmi0ioDG0xGlG5sq_JKLgp5P4C6-w1tEXga4thFakyt6F6EaXA16hBzt6stuXnGT35qe6_B4i3-2gjOoae-zSmkQCbF7qrLRFFdR9nkoxC6pPUsIDdBhu4w-NHUzxOdZm2lHDJDd3j1U7vURAWP5gV_43LYUGuGEeqdwQyWyq-4ZJIZl4fIH4Sdt), [6](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGdpuv66t9XoZKFBv9TLFXZcqiz0FK2PazbJAlcD0Ml2FQJ9JS01r0aQIRp5FNfK4W9Kd8SRvQfLkdYsmih9177anj9mbUIUckGGsZTZmDEU2xpDkvXyezRWm2Px2JWFffde3a1MR2p1HfDM_SD7ilGnLnFfosTauljeFXunIOTNT0jNPImXHRNCdHmKRH4V01B2qJKxic0ybHhl97jLQLNbzxo), [7](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEgmlVMktR91HM3oeDefPb0eGn1YheNStTtzCzuUxgvJbYpLtNCVOwGkAsjgjQnBc5WbVs_IiclERsCHHiGgxzJ3C4E6cS26DfMz4jcx-NtpwJi-lGYaizD31cUsnOi6f7vP6OsUZ1T_S4RUW97eZtfnnZxifbdm9Ou-EgOfHSbmOlaT7Ljo_OQ3DSFtnIKcr44MdYxc4Hn6ZU=). Both Google and the DOJ have signaled intentions to appeal the ruling, with Google aiming to overturn the monopoly liability and the DOJ seeking stricter remedies [6](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGdpuv66t9XoZKFBv9TLFXZcqiz0FK2PazbJAlcD0Ml2FQJ9JS01r0aQIRp5FNfK4W9Kd8SRvQfLkdYsmih9177anj9mbUIUckGGsZTZmDEU2xpDkvXyezRWm2Px2JWFffde3a1MR2p1HfDM_SD7ilGnLnFfosTauljeFXunIOTNT0jNPImXHRNCdHmKRH4V01B2qJKxic0ybHhl97jLQLNbzxo).
Simultaneously, Google's advertising technology business has also been declared an illegal monopoly. On April 17, 2025, Judge Leonie Brinkema of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ruled that Google had illegally monopolized markets for publisher ad servers and ad exchanges for open-web display advertising [8](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEUUnTXeTzAhdQ0W3sKD_020EBRW4sQ98F-qycX4QRlQEMp9gfXkLoVuQyL9ztK5JZAFMD53q4Jq95gFYSuZ902B2XwEIHXh_fmZDFozh8rA5r_uJnBbjUsezBRX8cpXzVjDY7V48XnspBuDH9NLLgF1B2rUKv5yQhYYg8=), [9](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFS5S5-P8kgg6Umwzrlq5VnwN7d1Xgv5yOkyjml2WeXmVjboIV9pr1IqHR-caosF9_5w69_psbEp6yDjwwstcB64brpI00hsIcD9V2hia2uyVEGNZ4DXivs2cUm9JuBS8pQXVWySRZRxCCuLbmG_rEjlrZe6oJY_Q9cGVBk4DkeNfhP2lFo5ib8KsqGEgYIkQVMVBqfxQ==), [10](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHLjfaPI_NWfvqdzaOt6K46vCJb8FaYfk5gzXS_OA-CunWMCQkDMXHQhMukVddOGDrvQs-qtUHgxz4R9x_ZzLjn38l2yzc7Hp8sD15o1EkBb4Y5b716bP8fBnoarqtAeR4EtVYhi7kUadzOoQYcM1WDYkkZ0_Fgpt6_8W9JXJj16Zv3Jj14kr5zFlQWKl5YcJctSFzQSieQxpigYGo=), [11](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGjc2IxzihPwkjHrcAzuBAsbrRwwstoa2B1yOyLananW8inoIteYdqjpscvXi_9II5rKTFLzuqgBcnnXKg_SmhSxZbHCmWmpicRYVB2d6IConEpmby91Fp8AQJ_iGAvw4CAP6tzyP-XBZVvJR7RN60Kg_AvuxltSFHWYjQermM9o2eEaaA=). The remedies trial for this ad tech case began on September 22, 2025 [9](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFS5S5-P8kgg6Umwzrlq5VnwN7d1Xgv5yOkyjml2WeXmVjboIV9pr1IqHR-caosF9_5w69_psbEp6yDjwwstcB64brpI00hsIcD9V2hia2uyVEGNZ4DXivs2cUm9JuBS8pQXVWySRZRxCCuLbmG_rEjlrZe6oJY_Q9cGVBk4DkeNfhP2lFo5ib8KsqGEgYIkQVMVBqfxQ==), [12](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHKWYr40707-TLnnUNsfxM8D29JCeQ6Q3EHTdZJZCqrVrt_yuCA4u9dYTKdc3KwLlA7Li7plb8Byfuo_tLMyieXZw51k0feoBm9prGOTGQWg0slLNxRycYnAI1Q6bYmS7K-t-oAwvOriO4fAJcKnwjRCK8RbVyXNp4nD_xG), [13](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGGq2ytkBEbChks_ZHTS9kvDE0A10c_WvVbl2fTeErN4o03v5IExqTYY751MfqkbLLYYhzHN9HfoC9wxL2WVxTMlrkQMOpNvrpdOcnZfBnNuGMOCCVYT3lLDXdWYZTxQ44jYgxvxDSywq6NGtlqssNai67WtrVwh9jLrJ0aZhMTZF9B6AeFA1-zo3xDbQ5A4iwxHpJsFgP4jylIKh8HYfu1rZH45lLqsw==). The DOJ has proposed that Google sell its AdX digital ad marketplace and its DoubleClick for Publishers platform [12](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHKWYr40707-TLnnUNsfxM8D29JCeQ6Q3EHTdZJZCqrVrt_yuCA4u9dYTKdc3KwLlA7Li7plb8Byfuo_tLMyieXZw51k0feoBm9prGOTGQWg0slLNxRycYnAI1Q6bYmS7K-t-oAwvOriO4fAJcKnwjRCK8RbVyXNp4nD_xG), [11](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGjc2IxzihPwkjHrcAzuBAsbrRwwstoa2B1yOyLananW8inoIteYdqjpscvXi_9II5rKTFLzuqgBcnnXKg_SmhSxZbHCmWmpicRYVB2d6IConEpmby91Fp8AQJ_iGAvw4CAP6tzyP-XBZVvJR7RN60Kg_AvuxltSFHWYjQermM9o2eEaaA=). However, Google has resisted divestiture, suggesting behavioral remedies instead [12](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHKWYr40707-TLnnUNsfxM8D29JCeQ6Q3EHTdZJZCqrVrt_yuCA4u9dYTKdc3KwLlA7Li7plb8Byfuo_tLMyieXZw51k0feoBm9prGOTGQWg0slLNxRycYnAI1Q6bYmS7K-t-oAwvOriO4fAJcKnwjRCK8RbVyXNp4nD_xG). Witnesses for Google have testified that breaking up its ad tech would be immensely complex, likening it to "going to Mars" [14](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGi8nxkkoaEotETNWbrTxg2dqLNWA2y25-ldiRptHjs8wNreci6ul1xV3qDmnDUxT8EAaSGbznICF6dxkICt6wb1OL0biBwmni5nIzMSEOlZLq3XGME7KoCLcxQnJdWdopoSu_qKQPb7PcdoBf98pBayhdCE9lgFwMQcVuE5RMn-Xdg_geKaVGvmv3sq3oWjzbYIQ==). A decision on remedies for the ad tech case is anticipated in late 2025 or early 2026 [12](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHKWYr40707-TLnnUNsfxM8D29JCeQ6Q3EHTdZJZCqrVrt_yuCA4u9dYTKdc3KwLlA7Li7plb8Byfuo_tLMyieXZw51k0feoBm9prGOTGQWg0slLNxRycYnAI1Q6bYmS7K-t-oAwvOriO4fAJcKnwjRCK8RbVyXNp4nD_xG). The April 2025 ruling has already spurred law firms to recruit advertisers for potential lawsuits, claiming up to 30% refunds on Google ad spending since 2016 [9](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFS5S5-P8kgg6Umwzrlq5VnwN7d1Xgv5yOkyjml2WeXmVjboIV9pr1IqHR-caosF9_5w69_psbEp6yDjwwstcB64brpI00hsIcD9V2hia2uyVEGNZ4DXivs2cUm9JuBS8pQXVWySRZRxCCuLbmG_rEjlrZe6oJY_Q9cGVBk4DkeNfhP2lFo5ib8KsqGEgYIkQVMVBqfxQ==).
European Union Intensifies Scrutiny and Fines
Across the Atlantic, the European Union continues its aggressive stance against Google's market dominance, employing both traditional antitrust fines and new regulatory frameworks.
- Ad Tech Fine: On September 5, 2025, the European Commission imposed a substantial €2.95 billion fine on Google for anticompetitive practices in its advertising technology business. The Commission found that Google had given preferential treatment to its own online ad display services, harming competitors and online publishers. [15](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEd4aDCDiRvvXvOCyw60kJ1TP0NVQXnkdaG1nYyAE-llyErsighqZkbFJ4cgRAerFJTIeKlqf1NJU5iKB6XY7lY3gYvTL66yhKBETgtxsaR8Wn5ttZ9JdY88e0Hp4yHvhVdG_o8bcqRuEfHSRTaSZyVqiFyjlHHxcZUoolN2Vm53aCDP6k1TBYcE-m8oYN8okRrFIKrhMvwuKyEXs8XUlc0woY=), [16](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGYxba8xs75qsipUOkYuZP9M7hUfkNUbIIhrrpd2VIxAxjNZURB6jey9gZZkJ3wf36sDe6eLQkFg-HdWk_CH0QeAMnYjxgklkRXh5i-tbHoYphmu6X0HqsZ1LodVfQ9eOKEkQHZw0_ubYXBw7KSoHJqAVb3wABLFOZp_nU7BYtyXhvJ0eGvXkGS1THR4a7dYoQmygRGOk-yxQevS763MbqvFHjs01OrvBqN-tQcqxJ-a2mxpmIDh4GRAj8Yop8OiNQ=)Google has been given until September 5, 2025, to propose measures to comply with the order, with the EC emphasizing that behavioral remedies are "likely to be ineffective" in preventing continued self-preferencing.
[16](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGYxba8xs75qsipUOkYuZP9M7hUfkNUbIIhrrpd2VIxAxjNZURB6jey9gZZkJ3wf36sDe6eLQkFg-HdWk_CH0QeAMnYjxgklkRXh5i-tbHoYphmu6X0HqsZ1LodVfQ9eOKEkQHZw0_ubYXBw7KSoHJqAVb3wABLFOZp_nU7BYtyXhvJ0eGvXkGS1THR4a7dYoQmygRGOk-yxQevS763MbqvFHjs01OrvBqN-tQcqxJ-a2mxpmIDh4GRAj8Yop8OiNQ=)* Digital Markets Act (DMA): Google is also facing potential penalties under the EU's new Digital Markets Act (DMA), effective since 2023. The European Commission is currently drafting a decision regarding charges that Google prioritizes its own vertical search engines, such as Google Shopping, Flights, and Hotels, over those of rivals. [17](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHC8c_H68Toh8WpF-47_6rwm7SzsNyCun0AWSs9mOE4SNqTdTDkfJWTExH6yn4IcYj0hevKtj4KLkb08kEeFdMWJ_N2sWf2oB8NToHgX9VUqn9hMK9OzlzdXWzxbja9ePsmoDckPcngycgTalhVfu2p456dv6QklTOSG81L-a-zanwoVkkNLJtqPA==), [18](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHiPsBwHFnofrqHbdwZvtJ_BSDYXshO0X9AvvOLrn0JqpNQDsrBH5ZjR6YQV4ycYtx6MWjsDJlaPZOH-FklOc59BjS7Yh9gpIGgy4c30pH5M0srmst2NEDnfz_6Gd9vzPKHLmFSXBmT3juDzP4RfgfactuMhOyW7AjPSh4P7aQVpA6k0CSMPr69Soe3Jb7DWq4SGkRd47A469P2jDjC)Google submitted a revised proposal in June 2025 to address these concerns, but some competitors remain critical, arguing the changes do not go far enough to create a fair environment.
[18](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHiPsBwHFnofrqHbdwZvtJ_BSDYXshO0X9AvvOLrn0JqpNQDsrBH5ZjR6YQV4ycYtx6MWjsDJlaPZOH-FklOc59BjS7Yh9gpIGgy4c30pH5M0srmst2NEDnfz_6Gd9vzPKHLmFSXBmT3juDzP4RfgfactuMhOyW7AjPSh4P7aQVpA6k0CSMPr69Soe3Jb7DWq4SGkRd47A469P2jDjC)* Android Fine Appeal: An adviser to the Court of Justice of the European Union has recommended dismissing Google's appeal against a €4.1 billion Android antitrust fine (originally €4.34 billion in 2018). The case centers on Google's use of its Android mobile system to limit competition through pre-installed apps and contractual restrictions. A final court ruling on this appeal is expected in the coming months of 2025.
[19](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGRgi420dBbSPU6P_opdlQxEj0CI_U6GE8tZjX5K_XJ0OhLVhLZ-5kywdKhKqrFhIjCZkvninzLAEWX3k-Eoxuz96MQaK38kgVmhJNjU9ag1dqNeqKOlxl91g5MX55jL1lf0AQX4E2Y76Pe7ZQ6yy6nkWufBDPJWTmG2g_zbNn5RYFqlEjIjJn03yoRcR4=) The Enduring Challenges of Disentangling a Digital Giant
The ongoing legal battles underscore the immense difficulty of breaking up a company as integrated and influential as Google. Critics argue that merely imposing fines or behavioral changes may not be sufficient to restore true competition.
Key challenges include:
- Technical Complexity: Google's services are deeply intertwined. Witnesses in the ad tech trial described the task of divesting components as akin to "going to Mars," highlighting the massive technical hurdles involved. Spli [14](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGi8nxkkoaEotETNWbrTxg2dqLNWA2y25-ldiRptHjs8wNreci6ul1xV3qDmnDUxT8EAaSGbznICF6dxkICt6wb1OL0biBwmni5nIzMSEOlZLq3XGME7KoCLcxQnJdWdopoSu_qKQPb7PcdoBf98pBayhdCE9lgFwMQcVuE5RMn-Xdg_geKaVGvmv3sq3oWjzbYIQ==)tting up teams and underlying technology, and then ensuring their independent operation, presents significant challenges for highly integrated tech firms.
- [20](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGr2tgaiskbZ8C8iIzmn63VBe614sopdxlcPpDpwCJko9lGpH8XV2yQP7Kf0k9gLapCYsbHWrK3o_LExT-IyuTrbigfm3zUs4e-NCGRkMJG4qQMSp-042pDPUf3IUK7sPPoZXPmpj7enWBYsOpXBtccPiC8OUf_m0CSiCQ4-TWsLQV0M8uBpx8w562sqiTSs57SC8RH)Market Impact: Concerns persist about the potential unintended consequences of a forced breakup on the broader digital ecosystem, including disruption for users and advertisers.
- [3](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEeBmi0ioDG0xGlG5sq_JKLgp5P4C6-w1tEXga4thFakyt6F6EaXA16hBzt6stuXnGT35qe6_B4i3-2gjOoae-zSmkQCbF7qrLRFFdR9nkoxC6pPUsIDdBhu4w-NHUzxOdZm2lHDJDd3j1U7vURAWP5gV_43LYUGuGEeqdwQyWyq-4ZJIZl4fIH4Sdt), [21](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQG9CDMkWm32mJ8l9DzoDERqaJj8UUgXy-EkTojj2Ocx2oQziXTBlGqNxPFmb8og4gLk3Ada6OxYvkC6scJgJ8ZVUrnh2NGlp1b4cxsPOExEz8d0_jEC2tV0tyGKPokEHlvxoSWRWrrORhxLZ8sBuNetEeH7aULEiwAb0tk-)Data Dominance: Some experts argue that breaking up Big Tech without addressing the underlying issue of data dominance may simply lead to the emergence of new monopolies in different forms. Amne [21](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQG9CDMkWm32mJ8l9DzoDERqaJj8UUgXy-EkTojj2Ocx2oQziXTBlGqNxPFmb8og4gLk3Ada6OxYvkC6scJgJ8ZVUrnh2NGlp1b4cxsPOExEz8d0_jEC2tV0tyGKPokEHlvxoSWRWrrORhxLZ8sBuNetEeH7aULEiwAb0tk-)sty International, in its August 2025 briefing "Breaking up with Big Tech," asserts that Google's "toxic business model is built on pervasive surveillance" and that structural breakups are crucial for safeguarding human rights, particularly privacy.
- [7](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEgmlVMktR91HM3oeDefPb0eGn1YheNStTtzCzuUxgvJbYpLtNCVOwGkAsjgjQnBc5WbVs_IiclERsCHHiGgxzJ3C4E6cS26DfMz4jcx-NtpwJi-lGYaizD31cUsnOi6f7vP6OsUZ1T_S4RUW97eZtfnnZxifbdm9Ou-EgOfHSbmOlaT7Ljo_OQ3DSFtnIKcr44MdYxc4Hn6ZU=), [22](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQHtNOS_hd1wKQimp2wsKanLDT9J55wyu249bwfywNgUh6lmWofnWU98TCj6sp7JP9tYKTPf_OZm6Xmz1_gcZIEGJ0lIpX4tT4PNUHGV3wZ_pdui6btg9wvIgK3-6uz8hnzSKTfNbvzLeDSqHS1ZHOcT1oGz), [23](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQER_cgK0zXN5pQkcIOawtZ8kduLd9RYs0I2CCvPDbKkHQfelBAOORf1FxZiEAYYtJS5Jd3Rzop5631_jCiHgj9lPtQwBvhdXtKNYlFUKQeXSQOhL-W5yym-_6v31w_2oeaghr_m_xeI0GJrKoy5Jxn7jzf0Kan6mFMfx2aekULpv9MTxakHbPjoIgtUwevpC8tnk3kmohg7AT0p5tdwoA==)The Rise of AI: The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence adds another layer of complexity. Judge Mehta in the US search case considered AI's potential to disrupt the search market. Whil [24](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGeqNQOoGjMpUVpmZMt6YBQ3JnDjuRMYgtt5qHabX5taKNiugCdknIyBsw7l8e_9O-1tVKYVhUBGPAsPGYpSyRbd6RJSb_pcbW_4jqN0nqaXUlseq0ttKYPXowLvaoVezf_LEi-l3bXkcNOF3yLrfJ0_TOlBG0_WZq1akdoSV0lMl-KfWrW6bdiAYzMiPd0AaTLZ-ULnr-2ZdacoZRILiQbN8IYg6tSr7uggQhrZg==)e the US search ruling mandates data sharing and prohibits exclusive agreements, it notably avoids structural remedies, which some see as a "catalyst for its AI-driven evolution," allowing Google to redirect resources to projects like Gemini and DeepMind. Conv [6](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQGdpuv66t9XoZKFBv9TLFXZcqiz0FK2PazbJAlcD0Ml2FQJ9JS01r0aQIRp5FNfK4W9Kd8SRvQfLkdYsmih9177anj9mbUIUckGGsZTZmDEU2xpDkvXyezRWm2Px2JWFffde3a1MR2p1HfDM_SD7ilGnLnFfosTauljeFXunIOTNT0jNPImXHRNCdHmKRH4V01B2qJKxic0ybHhl97jLQLNbzxo)ersely, the DOJ aims to prevent Google from leveraging anticompetitive tactics in its emerging GenAI products.
As [5](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFYzYpkTs8CWnrvtf7GOIQ9DWZ_NSjmIFNnydrmJsHxp7Mr404GTsr0fuSiz9pS8XGmcUQOLANluwHxn-GeoA9JzvlGvRmdpu5c3vf1jlOAjvzB739UGjQhK7bMELuSIvdlqfMA7pAUBW0pmCW2wZeV5SMQgEvzrpKP_HrVqtRYDw3X3i5Fjjn_mcGUgD04MWTnnKttGw==)2025 draws to a close, it's clear that the global effort to rein in Google's market power is far from over. While courts have repeatedly affirmed Google's monopolistic conduct, the form and effectiveness of the remedies remain subjects of intense debate and ongoing legal appeals. The pursuit of a more competitive digital landscape continues to be a formidable undertaking, proving that breaking up with a company as ubiquitous as Google is indeed a very hard thing to do.