Tuesday 13 September 2022 10:28 AM Google faces £22billion 'ad tech' lawsuit from publishers in Europe trends now
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A huge 'ad tech' class action legal case has been brought against Google over its technology powering online adverts which consumers view on news media.
Lawyers seeking up to £22billion in damages for publishers across Europe claim the US tech firm deprived the media of revenue through its 'anti-competitive conduct'.
The California-based company is alleged to have favoured its own services in online advertising, making it more difficult for rival advertising services to compete.
This relates to complex algorithmic auctions that power Google's online display advertising business, which are claimed to have seen it favour its own ad exchange.
The French Competition Authority fined Google £190million in June last year over its ad tech practices after it was found to have abused its dominant position.
A sign next to Google's headquarters at Mountain View in California is pictured (file image)
Now, a claim is being brought in the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal which lawyers said will focus on recovering lost revenue from the sale of advertising space.
The action in Britain is being brought by competition law firm Geradin Partners, which is working with litigation law firm Humphries Kerstetter.
There is also a collective claim representing publishers in the European Union which is being brought by Geradin Partners in conjunction with Dutch law firm Stek.
Toby Starr, partner at Humphries Kerstetter, said today: 'This important
