US states lean toward breaking up Google’s ad tech business: Report

The U.S. state attorneys general investigating Alphabet Inc’s Google for potential antitrust violations are leaning toward pushing for a breakup of its ad technology business as part of an expected suit, CNBC reported on Friday, citing sources.
The Justice Department and nearly all state attorneys general have opened investigations into allegations that Google has broken antitrust laws. The federal probe focuses on search bias, advertising and management of Google’s Android operating system.
Google’s shares were up 1.6% on the day.
Google spokeswoman Julie Tarallo McAlister said the company continued to engage with the Justice Department and the Texas attorney general’s office.
“We don’t have any updates or comments on speculation. The facts are clear: Our digital advertising products compete across a crowded industry with hundreds of rivals and technologies, and have helped lower costs for advertisers and consumers,” Tarallo said.