Google faces a £5 billion class action lawsuit in the UK over alleged abuse of its online search dominance. Filed at the Competition Appeal Tribunal, the claim argues that Google secured default search status on devices and overcharged advertisers for years .
Overview
Dr Or Brook filed the suit on behalf of hundreds of thousands of UK businesses. He asserts that Google forced phone makers to pre-install Google Search and paid Apple to set Google as the default engine on iPhones. As a result, competitors were shut out and ad prices soared . Google’s own ad services reportedly offered superior features, further entrenching its position.
Lawsuit Details
The legal action focuses on contracts that allegedly locked out rivals. For instance, Google’s agreements with Android manufacturers and Apple meant few alternatives were available to users. Moreover, the complaint states businesses had little choice but to use Google Ads, leading to inflated costs. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has been probing Google’s search and ad practices since January, noting that Google handles about 90 % of UK search queries .
Potential Impact
If the lawsuit succeeds, Google could pay out £5 billion in compensation. This may also force the company to revise its device deals and ad policies. Furthermore, the case could spur further antitrust actions in digital markets. Regulators in the EU and US have already penalized Google under similar rules. With its search dominance again under fire, Google’s next steps are closely watched by industry and legal experts.
Source: Thetechnologyexpress
