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

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.

Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.

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