In a landmark decision for the technology industry, a U.S. District Judge has ruled that Google violated federal antitrust laws by maintaining a monopoly over the online search and advertising markets. The ruling follows a multi-year legal battle led by the Department of Justice, which argued that Google’s multi-billion-dollar agreements to serve as the default search engine on mobile devices effectively blocked competitors from the market. Google has announced its intention to appeal the decision, maintaining that its market position is the result of consumer preference for a superior product. While the ruling does not immediately specify penalties, legal analysts suggest it could lead to significant structural changes for the tech giant, potentially altering how search services are delivered to millions of users worldwide.