Ad-Vantage DoJ? 👨🏼‍⚖️🔨

👀 TLDR

In this week’s What’s Appening, we parse out the fight between the Justice Dept and Google. A judge has ruled for the former, saying Google runs an illegal monopoly in online ads. Google will appeal, but momentum is gathering over a potential breakup. We also have news on the latest AI image trend, ChatGPT getting a bit too familiar, an app maker from Figma, tech unicorns, and the latest appenings from here at 3Advance.

🎬 Our Top Take

👨🏼‍⚖️📲 Google – Judge’s Ruling Emboldens DoJ to Pursue Breakup

You may have seen last week’s news that a judge ruled Google had an illegal monopoly in online advertising. And, like us, you may have shrugged and thought it of little consequence: After all, if you had a dollar for every time a Big Tech company was accused of antitrust violations…. Yet, this ruling was significant, and it may have consequences in how the web’s economy works. Basically, the judge ruled that Google controlled all aspects of online advertising, forcing website owners and advertising companies to stay in Google’s system, causing financial loss for the websites and higher prices for the advertisers. Google will appeal the ruling (as expected), but the Justice Dept. wants more, looking to break its stranglehold on online search, forcing it to sell Chrome and end its sweetheart deal with Apple. We also have movement in the UK, with a multi-billion dollar class action for advertising monopolies on its pre-installed apps. Finally, there are calls across Europe for judges to follow the same pattern as here in the US – ruling that the company is operating a monopoly. Yes, we know you have heard it all before, but the Justice Dept is serious about wanting to break Google up, and it’s getting some serious wins to back up its case. #Goog-opoly Read more here.

📲 App of the Week: Cluely

Cluely is an AI application (available to download for Mac; there’s a waitlist for Windows) with a fascinating back story. It’s the brainchild of Roy Lee, who was kicked out of Columbia University in March after claiming that the tool – originally called Interview Coder – helped him blag his way to internship offers from companies like Amazon. A few weeks later, Lee’s startup has raised millions and is built around the now rebranded Cluely. What does it do? It helps you ‘cheat’ by creating a hidden window on your computer screen, which will then provide you with real-time information as you navigate sales calls, look smarter in virtual meetings, ace interviews, etc. There may be ethical questions over HOW you use it, but the concept is interesting. Find out more about Cluely here.

🧐 Stat of the Week: 19 Unicorns

📈📉 Startups – 19 Tech Unicorns Minted in 2025 So Far in 2025

Things are uncertain out there right now, but it seems VC money is still flowing into startups. Nineteen new tech unicorns ($1 billion+ valuations) have been created so far in 2025. TechCrunch is keeping a running total, which you can check on here. It just goes to show that good ideas will always attract investment, regardless of economic conditions.  And if you have a tech idea and want to get it off the ground, you can chat with us to get the ball rolling. #CountingUnicorns Read more here.

🗞️ Other Stories

📍 Meanwhile at 3Advance

We’ve been on a roll with social lately, experimenting, yes, but also trying to be intentional. We don’t care about the views as much as we care about bringing value to the people in the space - okay, we care about the views too, it takes some time, is what we heard. Tune in, we’re talking about everything, from AI to the apps we like to product tips you’d really like. Honestly, we’re figuring it out as we go, and that’s kind of the point! It’s been fun, but it’s also been a real-time learning experience, seeing what resonates, what flops (😆), and how we can keep improving. We’re just getting started, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Let us know what you like (or what you want to see more of)!

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