Google Confronts €12 Billion in Civil Damage Claims from EU Price Comparison Websites
Google is currently facing civil damage claims totaling at least €12 billion (approximately $13.3 billion) from multiple price comparison websites across the European Union. These claims stem from allegations that Google has exploited its dominant position in the search engine market to promote its own shopping service, overshadowing competitors and “stealing”their customers.
Background on Antitrust Violations
The legal troubles for Google began in 2017 when the European Commission imposed a €2.4 billion fine for allegedly “abusing its market power”by favoring its shopping service over others. This landmark decision prompted a series of lawsuits from impacted companies. However, the progress of these lawsuits was stalled as Google pursued an appeal.
Recent Court Rulings Alter Legal Landscape
The situation took a decisive turn last year when Europe’s highest court affirmed that Google indeed violated antitrust laws. This ruling means the plaintiff companies no longer need to demonstrate the exact damages they incurred, significantly strengthening their positions and allowing total claims to accumulate to an estimated €12 billion.
Claims Breakdown by Company
The following table details the plaintiffs, their home countries, and the estimated size of their claims against Google, as reported by Bloomberg:
| Plaintiff | Home Country | Claim Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Find prices | Italy | €2.97 billion |
| Pricerunner | Sweden | €2.1 billion |
| Kelkoo | UK | €1.4 billion |
| PriceRoboter, KuantoKusta, others | Netherlands | €900 million |
| Ceneo | Poland | €550 million |
| Group of Six Companies | Various | €450 million (court estimate) |
| Stylight | Germany | €300 million (court estimate) |
| Unknown Plaintiff | Germany | €290 million |
| Foundem | UK | Unknown |
| Compare Group | Netherlands | Unknown |
| Eureka | Czech Republic | Unknown |
| Total | €12.26 billion |
Google’s Response to the Allegations
In response to these claims, Google has expressed disagreement, asserting that it has made significant modifications since the 2017 ruling that have positively impacted price comparison sites. The tech giant maintains that it complies with EU requirements and believes that the industry is currently flourishing as a result.
Anticipated Legal Proceedings
The lawsuits against Google are likely to take several years to resolve. If European courts favor the plaintiffs, Google could face substantial additional financial liabilities in conjunction with the fines it has previously been assessed.
For further reading, visit the original source on Bloomberg.
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