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Alphabet Faces Regulatory Uncertainty as DOJ Decision Nears

By  |  August 21, 2025

Alphabet Inc. is drawing heightened attention this week as investors await the Department of Justice’s next move in its long-running antitrust battle. According to Yahoo! Finance, the U.S. District Court has already ruled that Google unlawfully maintained its dominance in online search and related advertising markets through exclusionary default agreements.

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    Analysts at BMO Capital warn that Alphabet’s share price could swing by as much as 10% in either direction depending on the remedies imposed. Per Yahoo! Finance, Judge Amit Mehta is expected to issue his decision shortly, aiming to resolve the matter before the launch of the government’s separate Ad-Tech trial.

    Read more: Google Offers Play Store Changes to Avoid EU Penalties

    BMO Capital anticipates that the remedies will be meaningful but not extreme. The firm expects regulators to push for a broad behavioral consent decree rather than a forced breakup. Such a measure could restrict Google’s practices around distribution agreements, data sharing, and competitive conduct, potentially extending to artificial intelligence operations. While divestitures of assets like Chrome or Android appear unlikely, the author notes that any restrictions could still weigh heavily on Google’s core revenue streams and flexibility.

    The greater threat, however, may lie in the upcoming Ad-Tech case. Analysts cited by Yahoo! Finance point out that this proceeding carries a much higher chance of a structural breakup, with a decision on remedies projected after September 2025. Combined, the two antitrust cases could expose Alphabet to a decade of heightened regulatory oversight, reshaping the competitive dynamics of search and digital advertising.

    Source: Yahoo