2.1 billion Euro: Google must fear high damages

Google is in trouble again in Europe. A total of 32 publishers have now gone to court with a class action lawsuit. A compensation payment of 2.1 billion euros is at stake.

Google allegedly violated competition law

It is now almost commonplace for Google to have to pay damages in Europe at regular intervals. This time, the US search engine giant is alleged to have violated competition law. At least that is what a total of 32 publishers based in Europe are accusing it of. And the high amount of damages is no coincidence. The accusation focuses on a truly perfidious scam. The tech company is alleged to have controlled the digital advertising market in its own interests. While the fees for Google’s own services were adjusted upwards, the company apparently reduced the turnover of the affected publishers.

Publishers from 15 countries

The class action suit that has now been filed has more than earned its categorization. After all, the affected publishers come from a total of 15 EU countries. You will look in vain for small fish. They are almost exclusively leading media companies in the respective countries. Axel Springer Verlag is one of them. They are represented by the law firm Geradin Partners. The law firm has now officially commented on the serious allegation. Google is accused of abusing its dominant market position. With its actions, the tech company is distorting the entire advertising market in the digital space. This distortion in turn ensures that publishers, who are now increasingly relying on online content, have been able to record significantly lower advertising revenue.

This accusation is not new. After all, there are already antitrust proceedings against Google, which are being conducted by the EU Commission. The focus is always on the tech company’s advertising business. A corresponding ruling by the competent court in the Netherlands will not only be eagerly awaited by the suing publishers. Google will also be looking on grudgingly. After all, the ruling could have serious consequences for the tech company. The successful US company will probably still be able to pay the damages from its coffers. The resulting conditions could be much more serious. If Google has to make fundamental changes to its successful advertising concept, this would also result in a loss of profits.