The tech world is buzzing with another potential game-changing antitrust lawsuit against Google, this time targeting its massive digital advertising business.

In a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, the U.S. Justice Department is pushing to break up Google’s digital advertising technology, arguing that the company has been manipulating the market and stifling competition. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema has already declared parts of Google’s ad network an illegal monopoly, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal battle.

The trial centers on Google’s complex digital advertising system, which generates a staggering $305 billion in revenue for its parent company Alphabet Inc. The DOJ contends that Google has been using sophisticated algorithms and computer codes to maintain an unfair market advantage, effectively choking out potential competitors.

Google’s legal team is fighting back, arguing that the proposed remedy is “radical” and would cause significant disruption to the internet’s ecosystem. They believe the company has already made substantial changes to its “Ad Manager” system that address previous concerns.

This isn’t the first time Google has faced antitrust challenges. A similar case involving its search engine recently concluded with a less dramatic outcome, which might influence the current proceedings. Interestingly, the tech giant’s stock has continued to rise, recently becoming only the fourth publicly traded company to reach a $3 trillion market value.

The potential outcome could fundamentally reshape digital advertising. If the Justice Department succeeds, Google might be forced to sell parts of its ad technology, potentially creating more opportunities for smaller tech companies and publishers who have long struggled under Google’s dominance.

As artificial intelligence continues to transform digital markets, this case represents a critical moment in tech regulation, potentially setting precedents for how massive tech platforms are allowed to operate in the future. The tech community and investors are watching closely to see how Judge Brinkema will rule and what implications this might have for the broader digital landscape.