Antitrust Cases Targeting Google, Meta, and Apple Highlight Efforts to Regulate Big Tech

In a landmark ruling this week, a US judge determined that Google illegally maintained its dominance in the digital advertising market, paving the way for a series of antitrust actions against some of the world's most powerful tech companies, including Meta, Apple, and Amazon. The decision is the latest example of growing pressure from American regulators to curb Big Tech's influence—pressure that is now cutting across political lines and gaining global attention.

The decision found that Google had "willfully acquired and maintained monopoly power" in two key areas: publisher ad servers and ad exchanges. These systems are fundamental to how websites sell digital ads, which are a critical revenue source for many news organizations and online content creators. 

The court determined that Google manipulated this ecosystem to exclude competitors, leaving publishers and consumers with fewer options and higher prices.

"In addition to depriving rivals of the ability to compete, this exclusionary conduct substantially harmed Google's publisher customers, the competitive process, and, ultimately, consumers of information on the open web," the judge wrote, according to a Reuters story.

She did not rule against Google in a third area, advertiser ad networks, but the decision still opens the door for regulators to demand significant structural changes—perhaps even breaking up parts of Google's business.

That is a fate Meta could potentially face.

Meta vs FTC

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, is currently on trial in a high-stakes antitrust case filed by the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC claims that Meta purchased rivals such as Instagram and WhatsApp to eliminate rivalry and now has an illegal monopoly on "personal social networking."

Zuckerberg testified last week, defending the acquisitions as moves to boost innovation and improve user experience. He acknowledged that Facebook has evolved, but he emphasized that helping people connect remains central to Meta's mission. Still, leaked internal emails from 2012 appear to show a different intent — one message suggested buying Instagram to "neutralise a competitor."

If the FTC wins the case, Meta may be forced to sell off Instagram and WhatsApp.

Apple and Amazon also face heat

Apple, too, is facing legal challenges. In March 2024, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and several states sued the iPhone maker, accusing it of stifling competition by controlling the iOS ecosystem. The lawsuit cites Apple's restrictions on third-party apps, digital wallets, and messaging services. Apple has denied the allegations and is seeking to have the case dismissed, but the proceedings are expected to last years.

In September 2023, the FTC filed a broad case against Amazon, accusing the company of unfairly maintaining monopolies in online shopping and marketplace services. 

The lawsuit claims that Amazon penalizes sellers for offering lower prices elsewhere, forces them to use its own services, and floods search results with advertisements. A judge recently allowed the main federal charges to proceed, and the trial is scheduled for 2026.

Interestingly, despite efforts by Big Tech leaders to strengthen ties with US President Donald Trump—such as Meta's $1 million donation to his inauguration and Google's Sundar Pichai meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago—the US judiciary has maintained a firm stance on antitrust enforcement.

Each of these cases appears to be a problem that these companies are experiencing as a result of how they conduct business. However, when viewed in a larger context, these cases demonstrate that the era of unchecked Big Tech power is being called into question like never before. There is a noticeable shift in how US authorities view Big Tech. It demonstrates a new aggressive approach to how the US courts are handling antitrust cases, which could potentially mean regulatory risks growing for other similar businesses.