Judge Orders Conduct Changes to Alphabet’s Ad-Tech, Avoids Breakup
On Sept. 2, a federal judge refused to require Alphabet to sell major ad-tech assets and instead ordered conduct remedies. The retained cash supports data centers, Gemini development, custom chips, and long-term projects including Waymo, but restrictions could change advertising economics. Compliance costs and ongoing litigation may distract management, while investors watch operating margins and AI capital spending.