The US Department of Justice (DOJ) is examining Google’s proposed $32bn acquisition of cybersecurity firm Wiz for potential antitrust issues. According to Bloomberg, which broke the story, the DOJ’s antitrust division is assessing whether the acquisition could limit competition within the cybersecurity market.
The review is still in its preliminary stages. Usually, such assessments involve discussions with representatives of the merging companies, as well as their competitors and customers. The process could extend over several months, ultimately deciding whether the acquisition will be permitted to proceed.
Both Google and the DOJ have declined to comment on the ongoing review when approached by Bloomberg. A spokesperson for Wiz did not respond to requests for comment.
In March 2025, Google signed a definitive agreement to acquire Wiz for $32bn, marking its largest acquisition to date. The move is part of Google’s strategy to enhance its cloud computing business amidst the rapid growth of the AI sector. The agreement includes a reverse breakup fee of more than $3.2bn, which Google has agreed to pay if the deal fails due to regulatory issues. The transaction is expected to close next year, subject to customary closing conditions and necessary regulatory approvals.
This is not Google’s first major acquisition in the cybersecurity sector. In 2022, the company acquired Mandiant for $5.4bn. The DOJ reviewed the Mandiant deal but did not challenge it.
Wiz’s services in cloud security complement Mandiant’s expertise in threat intelligence and cyber breaches. While Mandiant focuses on identifying and managing cyber threats, Wiz provides tools that work to identify and block threats across complex cloud environments.
Google has assured that Wiz’s products will continue to function on major cloud platforms, including those offered by its competitors.
Google’s broader regulatory challenges
The scrutiny of the Wiz acquisition occurs amidst broader antitrust challenges faced by Google. US federal judges concluded earlier this year that the Alphabet subsidiary maintained illegal monopolies in online search and certain advertising technology markets. These findings have led to discussions about potentially breaking up parts of Google’s business, including its Chrome browser and some advertising tools.
Google recently declared its intention to challenge an antitrust decision related to its dominance in the online search market. The tech giant made the decision despite the district judge’s suggestion of milder remedies designed to improve market competition, rather than requiring Google to divest its search operations.
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