Tech-Konzern: Google entgeht Zerschlagung – muss Anzeigenbörse nicht verkaufen

In a landmark antitrust case involving online advertising, Google secured another significant victory on Wednesday. A federal judge rejected the government's request to forcibly sell Google's advertising platform, AdX. AdX manages real-time auctions for display ads, which are shown to users when they visit a webpage. Advertisers pay a 20% fee to AdX for this service.

Instead, the judge ruled that Google must ensure its advertising technology works seamlessly with competitors' systems. This decision prevents Google from facing another attempt to split the company, as it would have required the sale of AdX. US District Judge Leonie Brinkema initially released her decision under seal, but later issued an order rejecting the Justice Department's proposal to force Google to sell AdX.

Instead, she ordered changes to Google's business practices, though the specifics were not disclosed. A redacted version of the decision will be published this month. Google's Vice President for Regulatory Affairs, Lee-Anne Mulholland, expressed relief that the court rejected the Justice Department's plan to break apart tools that help small businesses reach and grow their customers.