Anti-Dumping Fury: Rivals Unleash Potential $10 Billion Lawsuits Against Google Following Massive EU Fines
A decade-long scrutiny of its practices by European regulators has escalated into a costly new phase for Google. The company, having absorbed billions in fines since 2017, is now facing a wave of private lawsuits from rivals across various European countries. These suits demand damages that could amount to as much as $10 billion.The escalation was precipitated by the loss of the first case brought under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Google received a $1 billion fine for favouring its own services, specifically regarding preventing app developers from using cheaper options outside of the Google Play store. Litigation financiers and several lawyers confirm that this finding of ongoing wrongdoing is likely to embolden further litigation.
The Scale of Litigation Risk Against Big Tech
The private lawsuits target various specialized search firms, who may seek damages not just for the DMA period but also for prior violations under older EU legislation (Article 102). Thomas Hoppner, a partner at Geradin Partners advising Idealo for market abuse, believes this event will "trigger a new wave of litigation."The damage claims are part of an expanding regulatory crackdown. These suits come on top of over €10.4 billion in fines levied against Google by EU regulators over the last ten years. While these private cases are at different stages, many more are reportedly being prepared and awaiting filing.
Major Rivals Seek Billions in Damages
Several high-profile companies have already filed suit. Berlin's Idealo received €465 million ($528.9 million) from a court, marking the largest fine ever awarded in Germany for an antitrust infringement. Italy's Moltiply Group, which runs Trovaprezzi.it, is seeking €2.97 billion.In the competitive shopping sphere, UK price comparison site Kelkoo stated that the latest EU fines could boost ongoing claims. Richard Stables, CEO of Kelkoo, noted that the DMA decision confirms Google’s continuous self-referencing practices and provides more ground for others to sue.
Broader Anti-Trust Scrutiny and Defense
One significant example involves Sweden's PriceRunner, backed by Klarna, which filed a multi-billion dollar suit in 2022 after Google's appeal was rejected. A Stockholm court subsequently ordered Google to pay approximately $1.97 billion, including interest—a ruling that Klarna welcomed, though the collection timeline remains uncertain.Google has consistently maintained that these lawsuits lack merit. A company spokesperson stated they strongly disagree with claims brought by companies merely seeking a payout rather than investing in their own products.
Despite the financial pressure from regulatory actions and private suits, Google is counting on time working in its favour. Lawyers note that such cases can drag on for years; the shopping lawsuit involved nearly two decades between alleged abuses and Google’s exhausted appeals process.
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