Wilson Adekumola
The US Justice Department and eight states have sued Google over digital advertisement business, claiming the tech giant illegally monopolizing the market for online ads and it is affecting rival firms.
The development has generated a fresh legal battle between the California-based tech giant over its world leading search engine, Vanguard reports
A filing in the federal antitrust suit was said to have accused Google of “unlawful maintaining monopolies” in the market for online advertising and other activities linked to Google’s search engine.
The suit which was the second antitrust suit federal authorities have brought against the company’s advertising empire, has for years been under scrutiny over allegations of self dealing and it is negatively affecting competitors.
Information gathered revealed the 155-page suit was filed in the Eastern District of Virginia. In the suit, the authorities claimed acquisition Google made to improve on its advertising division effective compelled advertisers and publishers to patronize it while affecting other rival firms.
The federal judge will force Google to break up its advertising segment from the rest of the company while the litigation lasts.
