In a groundbreaking decision, a federal judge ruled that Google's digital ad network is operating as an illegal monopoly, violating antitrust laws. The ruling comes after a lengthy investigation into Google's practices, which were found to stifle competition and limit consumer choice.

The judge's decision vindicates claims made by competitors and tech experts that Google has been unfairly dominating the digital advertising market, giving itself an unfair advantage. This landmark ruling could have far-reaching implications for the tech giant, potentially leading to significant changes in how it operates its ad network.

Google has long faced accusations of using its dominance in online search and advertising to crush competition and maintain its stranglehold on the market. This ruling is a major blow to the company and could pave the way for other antitrust investigations and legal actions against Google.

The tech industry is closely watching the fallout from this decision, as it could set a powerful precedent for how monopolistic practices are dealt with in the digital age. Google's future in the advertising space now hangs in the balance as it grapples with the consequences of this ruling.