Google seeks non-jury trial in ad-tech dominance case

Google is requesting a non-jury trial in the ongoing anti-trust lawsuit filed by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) in January 2023. The DOJ alleges Google has abused its dominance in the online advertising market and seeks to force the company to divest its ad manager suite.

This request highlights the growing tension between tech giants and regulators over fair competition in the digital age. Google argues that the technical intricacies of online advertising make a jury trial impractical. The company claims a judge would be better equipped to understand the nuances of the case.

The DOJ lawsuit centers on Google's vast influence in the online advertising ecosystem. Google's ad network, encompassing the disputed ad manager tools, is a significant revenue generator, contributing 12% to the company's income in 2021. The DOJ argues this dominance stifles competition and potentially harms consumers.

Google, on the other hand, maintains the DOJ's case oversteps the boundaries of antitrust law and doesn't address the realities of the competitive online advertising landscape.

This is not the first time a big tech company has faced antitrust scrutiny. Regulators worldwide are increasingly concerned about the power wielded by major tech platforms. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for future antitrust actions against tech giants and their practices in the online advertising market.