Google’s parent company, Alphabet, is under increased scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding potential antitrust violations. The investigation is expected to center on Google’s dominance in the online advertising market and whether the company has engaged in anti-competitive practices to maintain its position.

Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the Justice Department is gathering information and preparing to launch a formal investigation. This probe could examine various aspects of Google’s advertising business, including its ad tech stack, data collection practices, and relationships with publishers and advertisers.

The potential consequences of an antitrust lawsuit could be significant for Google, ranging from financial penalties to structural changes in its business operations. Other tech giants have faced similar scrutiny in recent years, highlighting growing concerns about the power and influence of large technology companies.

This investigation adds to the existing regulatory pressures on Google, which is already facing antitrust inquiries in Europe and other parts of the world. The outcome of these investigations could have a lasting impact on the competitive landscape of the online advertising industry.