The Atlantic filed a lawsuit against Google and its parent company Alphabet on January 13, 2026. The suit accuses the tech giant of illegally monopolizing the digital advertising market.
The complaint alleges Google coerces publishers into using its proprietary ad tools. This behavior has suppressed revenue for news outlets by as much as 40%. The Atlantic argues that Google’s alleged anti-competitive actions harm the financial viability of journalism, which relies heavily on advertising income.
This legal action intensifies the regulatory scrutiny and pressure Google faces over its dominant position in online advertising. Google responded to the allegations, stating the claims are "meritless."