DOJ’s Bold Move: Breaking Up Google’s Digital Ad Monopoly

by News Editor

May 7, 2025

In a landmark initiative, the U.S. Department of Justice is pushing for Google to split off key segments of its digital advertising business. The DOJ contends that the tech behemoth is unlawfully monopolizing the ad tech arena, a claim supported by last month’s federal court decision.

The Justice Department aims to expedite the sale of Ad Exchange, a pivotal platform matching advertisers with publishers. Furthermore, they are calling for the gradual divestiture of Google’s DFP ad server, a tool integral for digital ad management. This process, to be overseen by a court official, will grant the DOJ veto power over potential buyers.

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Judge Leonie Brinkema has scheduled a trial for September 22 to finalize the corrective strategies, following the court’s recognition of Google’s adverse effects on consumer markets. Notably, the DOJ has unveiled additional measures, urging Google to integrate third-party tools into its system to maintain bidding fairness.

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, which drew nearly $350 billion in 2024, primarily from ads, is expected to fiercely contest these directives. Their leadership argues that the suggested divestitures, particularly in the ad management sector, exceed the judge’s ruling scope. They also claim that such enforced sales may not align with legal allowances.

Despite these pushbacks, speculation about how innovative strategies might reshape market dynamics is rampant. Meanwhile, Google opposes the measures, advocating instead for sharing advertising data with rivals to enhance competitive practices.

The tech giant also faces scrutiny in another antitrust case related to its search monopoly, leading the DOJ to propose the divestment of Google’s Chrome browser. This separate case, judged by Amit Mehta, is predicted to reach a decision by August, possibly heralding a historic change for Google.

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Strained Household Finances: Eurostat Data Reveals Persistent Payment Delays Across Europe and in Cyprus

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 22, 2025

Improved Financial Resilience Amid Ongoing Strains

Over the past decade, Cypriot households have significantly increased their ability to manage debts—not only bank loans but also rent and utility bills. However, recent Eurostat data indicates that Cyprus continues to lag behind the European average when it comes to covering financial obligations on time.

Household Coping Strategies and the Limits of Payment Flexibility

While many families are managing their fixed expenses with relative ease, one in three Cypriots struggles to cover unexpected costs. This delicate balancing act highlights how routine payments such as mortgage installments, rent, and utility bills are met, but precariously so, with little room for unplanned financial shocks.

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Breaking Down Payment Delays Across the European Union

Eurostat reports that nearly 9.2% of the EU population experienced delays with their housing loans, rent, utility bills, or installment payments in 2024. The situation is more acute among vulnerable groups: 17.2% of individuals in single-parent households with dependent children and 16.6% in households with two adults managing three or more dependents faced payment delays. In every EU nation, single-parent households exhibited higher delay rates compared to the overall population.

Cyprus in the Crosshairs: High Rates of Financial Delays

Although Cyprus recorded a notable 19.1 percentage point improvement from 2015 to 2024 in delays related to mortgages, rent, and utility bills, the island nation still ranks among the top five countries with the highest delay rates. As of 2024, 12.5% of the Cypriot population had outstanding housing loans or rent and overdue utility bills. In contrast, Greece tops the list with 42.8%, followed by Bulgaria (18.7%), Romania (15.3%), Spain (14.2%), and other EU members. Notably, 19 out of 27 EU countries reported delay rates below 10%, with Czech Republic (3.4%) and Netherlands (3.9%) leading the pack.

Selective Improvements and Emerging Concerns

Between 2015 and 2024, the overall EU population saw a 2.6 percentage point decline in payment delays. Despite this, certain countries experienced increases: Luxembourg (+3.3 percentage points), Spain (+2.5 percentage points), and Germany (+2.0 percentage points) saw a rise in payment delays, reflecting underlying economic pressures that continue to challenge financial stability.

Economic Insecurity and the Unprepared for Emergencies

Another critical indicator explored by Eurostat is the prevalence of economic insecurity—the proportion of the population unable to handle unexpected financial expenses. In 2024, 30% of the EU population reported being unable to cover unforeseen costs, a modest improvement of 1.2 percentage points from 2023 and a significant 7.4 percentage point drop compared to a decade ago. In Cyprus, while 34.8% still report difficulty handling emergencies, this marks a drastic improvement from 2015, when the figure stood at 60.5%.

A Broader EU Perspective

Importantly, no EU country in 2024 had more than half of its population facing economic insecurity—a notable improvement from 2015, when over 50% of the population in nine countries reported such challenges. These figures underscore both progress and persistent vulnerabilities within European households, urging policymakers to consider targeted measures for enhancing financial resilience.

For further insights and detailed analysis, refer to the original reports on Philenews and Housing Loans.

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