Google is facing unprecedented antitrust challenges that could drastically reshape its business and open new opportunities for competitors. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has deemed Google an unlawful monopolist in the online search and ad tech markets, leading to two separate rulings and upcoming trials to determine appropriate remedies. On Monday, Google will enter a three-week trial in Washington, DC, to address the search monopoly allegations. This trial will be followed by a similar proceeding for the ad tech case, though exact dates have not been set by Judge Leonie Brinkema. The DOJ's proposed remedies for the search monopoly include forcing Google to sell its Chrome web browser, share search data with competitors, keep the government informed of new AI investments, and end exclusionary deals with browser and phone makers. These measures are designed to level the playing field for competitors like Microsoft’s Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo, who have struggled to gain market share due to Google's dominance. Google has been accused of making it exceedingly difficult for competitors to break through by leveraging its control over Chrome and its exclusionary agreements with Apple and other manufacturers. In the ad tech case, the DOJ has two main focuses: Google's publisher ad server, known as DFP, and its ad exchange, AdX. Judge Brinkema has already ruled that Google monopolizes these markets, though the company was found not guilty of monopolizing its advertiser-side tools. The government may seek to have Google split off one or both of these services to create a more competitive ad market. This market is crucial for the internet economy, as it provides publishers with a means to monetize their content outside of big social networks. Witnesses, including executives from publishers, have testified that they feel constrained by Google’s actions and would benefit from greater competition. Google has been fighting these antitrust battles for over five years, consistently arguing that it has won users through fair competition and the superior quality of its products. Despite these claims, the company is now facing judges who have already determined that Google has violated antitrust laws, and the focus is shifting to determining the appropriate penalties. This is a significant shift, as Google must now argue for limiting the consequences rather than denying the allegations entirely. The upcoming trials will feature testimony from Google executives in charge of Search, Android, and Chrome, as well as executives from competing search engines and AI companies like OpenAI and Perplexity. The government will use this testimony to strengthen its case for the proposed remedies, while Google will likely argue that these measures could disrupt consumer tools and services. The decisions in these trials could have far-reaching implications for the tech industry. Judge Amit Mehta could rule on search remedies by the end of the summer, and Judge Brinkema, known for her quick pace, could set a trial and make a ruling on ad tech remedies this year. However, Google has already vowed to appeal any unfavorable decisions, potentially delaying the implementation of changes for years. The company could take these appeals all the way to the Supreme Court, making the timeline for any significant changes highly uncertain. Industry experts draw parallels to Microsoft's antitrust case from the late 1990s and early 2000s, which did not result in a breakup but did lead to milder remedies. Even these milder measures, however, opened up the market for new and innovative companies, one of which was Google itself. The outcome of these current trials could similarly force Google to change its practices, potentially leading to a more diverse and competitive tech ecosystem. Experts believe that, if the DOJ’s proposed remedies are implemented, it could revitalize the open web and create new opportunities for smaller players in the market. Google’s dominant position in both search and ad tech has long been a concern for regulators and competitors, and these trials represent a critical turning point in the company’s history.