Google is now facing $25.4 billion in damages in British and Dutch courts due to ad practices. Read to know more.
In British and Dutch courts, Google is facing damage claims totaling up to 25 billion euros (USD 25.4 billion). The lawsuits were brought because of its digital advertising. Antitrust regulators have lately begun to investigate Google’s advertising technology as a result of publisher complaints.
The company was fined 220 million euros by the French competition watchdog last year, and the European Commission and its UK counterpart are looking into whether the tech giant’s adtech business provides it an unfair edge over competitors and advertisers.
“It’s time Google owns up to its responsibilities”
Damien Geradin from Geradin Partners said, “It is time that Google owns up to its responsibilities and pays back damages it has caused to this important industry. That is why today we are announcing these actions across two jurisdictions to obtain compensation for EU and UK publishers.”
Google criticized the imminent court action and stated that it collaborates positively with publications all around Europe.
A spokesperson from the company said, “This lawsuit is speculative and opportunistic. When we receive the complaint, we’ll fight it vigorously.”
The British lawsuit filed with the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal aims to obtain compensation for all website owners who display banner ads, including traditional publishers. Britain has an opt-out regime.
Publishers impacted by Google’s activities are eligible to file a claim in the Netherlands. Harbour is providing funds for both lawsuits.
Google can’t seem to be catching a break in Europe. With roughly $10 billion in fines hanging over its head like a financial sword of Damocles, it presently has three significant cases ongoing in the EU. It lost a significant appeal worth $2.8 billion to the EU General Court back in November. Last month, Google filed an appeal against this ruling with the top court of the EU. Despite these ongoing legal shenanigans, at least one Google Shopping rival has opted to sue the corporation for more than $2 billion because they feel that Google is not adhering to the court’s rulings.
