DOJ Clears Google's $32 Billion Wiz Acquisition, Removing Key Antitrust Hurdle

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has cleared Alphabet's Google to proceed with its $32 billion acquisition of cybersecurity firm Wiz, concluding its antitrust review of the deal. This decision, dated October 24 and disclosed on the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) website, removes a major regulatory obstacle for what is Google's largest acquisition ever, surpassing its $12.5 billion buyout of Motorola Mobility in 2012 and the $5.4 billion purchase of Mandiant in 2022.

The deal was first announced in March 2025 and is considered a strategic move to enhance Google Cloud's cybersecurity offerings, helping it compete with rivals like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services. Wiz's CEO, Assaf Rappaport, confirmed the clearance at a Wall Street Journal event, describing it as an important milestone but emphasizing that the deal remains under review by other antitrust regulators globally. He noted that final closure is expected in 2026, pending standard conditions and approvals from other jurisdictions.

The DOJ had launched an in-depth investigation in June 2025 to assess whether the acquisition would illegally limit competition in cloud and cybersecurity markets. This clearance comes amid broader antitrust challenges for Google, including federal cases where judges ruled it monopolized online search and digital advertising markets. A federal judge in Virginia is currently weighing whether to order divestitures in Google's ad tech business, which could significantly impact its revenue.

Despite the DOJ's early termination of the review, which signals that federal agencies no longer view it as an obstacle, the FTC's posting of the approval raised eyebrows due to exceptions made during a government shutdown. The integration of Wiz into Google Cloud aims to provide businesses with advanced tools for identifying and managing security risks, potentially narrowing the gap with competitors in the growing cybersecurity market.