Pakistan, Oct. 21 -- The United States sued Google accusing the company of allegedly abusing its dominance in online search and advertising and using its market muscle to hobble rivals.

The Justice Department lawsuit could lead to the break-up of an iconic company that has become all but synonymous with the internet and assumed a central role in the lives of billions of people around the globe. The outcome is far from assured but the case is likely to take years to resolve.

The lawsuit marks the first time the US has cracked down on a major tech company since it sued Microsoft for anti-competitive practices in 1998. Other major tech companies including Apple, Amazon and Facebook are under investigation by both the Justice Department and...