Google hit with fresh €10bn damages claims across Europe

Google is facing new legal action across Europe after receiving a record €890 million ($1 billion) fine from the European Commission for breaking the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Several companies are now preparing lawsuits that could total as much as $10 billion, claiming Google’s business practices unfairly hurt their businesses over many years.

The European Commission recently fined Google €460 million for giving its own services an unfair advantage in search results. It also imposed another €430 million for stopping app developers from directing users to cheaper payment methods outside the Google Play Store.

Legal experts say the Commission’s ruling could strengthen the cases of companies seeking compensation in courts across Europe.

Among the firms pursuing or considering legal action are German price comparison website Idealo, as well as Kelkoo, PriceRunner and Italy’s Moltiply Group. Idealo recently won a €465 million damages award in Germany.

Lawyers involved in the cases told Reuters that the total value of current and expected claims could reach $10 billion, making them some of the biggest competition lawsuits ever brought against a technology company in Europe.

Google has rejected the European Commission’s decision and said it plans to appeal the fine. The company argued that the required changes could make it harder for users to find information and reduce traffic to European businesses.

Google also said it has worked hard to comply with the Digital Markets Act and continues to cooperate with European regulators.

Since 2017, Google has been fined more than €10 billion by the European Union over competition issues involving its shopping comparison service, Android operating system, online advertising business and, most recently, the Digital Markets Act.

Legal experts expect the new damages cases to take several years to conclude.

However, if more companies join the lawsuits, Google’s financial exposure could rise well beyond the regulatory fines it has already received.