A U.S. federal judge ruled that Google's control over the ad tech sector constitutes an illegal monopoly, with potential forced divestitures, highlighting unethical business practices and excessive economic concentration.

Google LLC, alongside OpenAI, Discord, and Roblox, launched the ROOST initiative aimed at tackling Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) using advanced AI-driven solutions. This move is part of a broader effort to improve online child safety and protect vulnerable communities.

A CNBC report indicates that Google, along with Apple, removed TikTok from its app store the day before a U.S. law was set to take effect. This move came amid pressure from the Trump administration, extending deadlines for TikTok’s U.S. operations and reflecting compliance with politically driven directives.

Google Research, in partnership with FireSat and through funding from Google.org, has initiated a satellite project that uses advanced AI to detect wildfires early, potentially reducing environmental and human losses.

Google transitioned its Gemini 2.5 Pro AI model from a paid service to a free experimental version in Canada, providing broader access to advanced AI technology while imposing usage limits on free users.

During a recent company all‐hands meeting, Google employees raised concerns regarding their 2025 compensation packages, noting that non‐technical staff received smaller equity packages and stock grants. This decision, aimed at calibrating pay to local markets, has negatively impacted employee morale and raised questions about fair labor practices within the tech giant.

Google, along with other leading tech companies, has pledged not to incorporate deep-sea mined minerals into its supply chain. This commitment is seen as a stand for sustainable sourcing and ethical business practices, distancing the company from the environmental and human rights risks associated with unregulated deep-sea mining.

Google LLC’s decision to update Google Maps in line with President Trump’s executive order on renaming the Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America' raises serious concerns about the company’s complicity in supporting authoritarian political agendas. By aligning its widely-used mapping service with an executive mandate viewed as a political tool, Google appears to prioritize compliance over critical ethical considerations, undermining democratic discourse.

The article ‘Are CEOs Turning Against Trump?’ highlights that, unlike other tech titans with substantial personal stakes, Google's CEO is noted as a hired-hand who notably did not endorse Trump. This differentiation is seen as a positive stance against authoritarian political maneuvers, emphasizing principled leadership over self-interest.

Amid a broader controversy over government communications and national security, Google was noted for its identification of alleged Russian hacking groups targeting Signal Messenger. This incident, highlighted in a New Republic article, underscores Google's proactive role in leveraging its technological capabilities to flag potential cybersecurity threats which can help counter authoritarian interference in public discourse.

Google's rollout of Gemini Live introduces real-time AI video features that allow the system to 'see' users' screens, raising concerns about potential misuse for surveillance and privacy violations that could bolster authoritarian practices.

Google has removed over 10,000 fraudulent business listings from Google Maps and filed a lawsuit against scammers, demonstrating its commitment to ethical business practices and protecting consumers.

Google announced its intent to acquire cloud security startup Wiz for $32 billion, a move that may further consolidate its market dominance and impact competition in the cloud security space.

Google LLC, as part of a coalition of US tech giants, is reported to be lobbying the Trump administration to pressure Australia into relaxing its social media regulations. This political maneuvering, aimed at countering an Australian news bargaining incentive, raises concerns over corporate influence on public policy and its potential to undermine democratic accountability.

Amid a broader rollback of DEI initiatives following the pro-Trump political climate in the US, Google has scaled back its diversity programs. This move raises concerns about its commitment to fostering inclusive workplace practices and its political accountability, potentially contributing to a broader environment that emboldens authoritarian tendencies.

An Observer investigation reveals Google's complicity in removing political content at the behest of autocratic regimes in Russia and China, effectively aiding in state-sponsored censorship.

Google agreed to improve its processes for detecting and removing fake reviews from its platforms in the UK, following regulatory actions aimed at banning hidden fees and deceptive practices. This measure supports consumer protection by ensuring that online reviews remain credible and transparent.

The article mentions that Google launched a research assistant tool last December, designed to explore complex topics and compile comprehensive reports on user queries. This offering is positioned as part of the broader competitive AI landscape alongside innovations from Amazon, OpenAI, and Anthropic.

Allegations have emerged that Google management directed employees to refrain from discussing the ongoing antitrust litigation, which has prompted a labor charge by the Alphabet Workers Union. This directive is seen as a suppression of protected employee speech and an unacceptable violation of labor rights.

The Alphabet Workers Union (AWU) has filed a labor complaint with the NLRB alleging that Google's directive to refrain from discussing its antitrust litigation restricts free speech and violates employee rights, reflecting an authoritarian approach to labor relations.

Google LLC terminated 28 employees following protests over labor conditions and its involvement in Project Nimbus, a multi-billion-dollar contract to provide cloud computing and AI services to the Israeli government and military. Critics argue that the firings represent a repressive tactic to silence dissent and undermine workers' rights, while also raising concerns about the ethical implications of supplying technology that could be used for state repression.

In February 2024, Google scrapped its aspirational DEI hiring targets and rebranded its diversity initiatives as it faced mounting legal and political pressures stemming from executive orders by President Donald Trump. CEO Sundar Pichai cited the need to comply with local laws while affirming a commitment to building a representative workforce, even as the company reduced dedicated DEI roles and programs.

Google laid off hundreds of employees in its platforms and devices division affecting the Android, Pixel, and Chrome teams, as part of a broader workforce reduction aimed at increasing operational efficiency.

An NLRB complaint alleges that Google illegally fired employees involved in labor organizing and surveilled workers, violating federal labor laws and undermining worker rights.

Google faces fierce internal and external backlash over its Project Dragonfly—a censored search app aimed at the Chinese market that would facilitate government censorship and surveillance, thereby enabling authoritarian practices.

Google’s CEO was reported to have attended Trump’s inauguration—an event he helped fund—and soon after rolled back the company’s progressive internal policies, including renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. This move is interpreted as a political alignment with authoritarian tendencies that may facilitate disinformation and undermine democratic values.