UK Files Potential £25 Billion Lawsuit Against Google, Alleging Advertising Monopoly Control
Google faces a potential £25 billion legal claim in the UK, with a new lawsuit alleging that the tech giant abused its dominance in the online search advertising market over the past decade. The lawsuit, led by Roger Kaye KC, a former deputy High Court judge, accuses Google of restricting competition, causing "excessive and unfair prices" for search advertising.
The case, presented to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), represents approximately 500,000 to 1.5 million UK advertisers who purchased search ads from Google between January 2011 and the present. If successful, compensation could reach £25 billion, according to the Independent.
Kaye asserts that the aim of the case is to restore a fair and competitive market landscape and challenge Google's monopolistic behavior. Legal firm KP law, representing Kaye, claims the lawsuit builds upon legal findings from both the European Commission and a US court, which have previously found Google guilty of market abuse.
Google faces mounting scrutiny globally as this case adds to a series of regulatory and legal challenges. Recently, the tech giant agreed to pay $1.38 billion (£1.05 billion) to settle two lawsuits in Texas, regarding the collection and tracking of biometric data without appropriate consent.
Meanwhile, an ongoing antitrust case in the United States confronts Google with potential proposals to divest major parts of its business, including Chrome browser and sections of its ad stack. Although it reached a substantial financial agreement, Google denies wrongdoing, attributing the claims to "outdated product policies."
- The lawsuit against Google in the UK could set a significant precedent for the finance sector, as it may lead to £25 billion in compensation for UK advertisers who purchased search ads from Google over the past decade.
- The legal case against Google is not confined solely to the UK, as it builds upon legal findings from both the European Commission and a US court, which have previously found Google guilty of market abuse.
- Amidst growing scrutiny from regulators worldwide, Google faces multiple legal and regulatory challenges, including an antitrust case in the US that may require the tech giant to divest major parts of its business, such as the Chrome browser and sections of its ad stack, owing to allegations of monopolistic behavior.
