Google must face a £7 billion ($8.8 billion) claim in the UK over allegations it abused its search engine dominance, a tribunal has ruled. The compla

Google must face £7B UK class action over search engine dominance

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2024-12-09 22:00:58

Google must face a £7 billion ($8.8 billion) claim in the UK over allegations it abused its search engine dominance, a tribunal has ruled.

The complaint centers around Google shutting out competition for mobile search, resulting in higher prices for advertisers, which were allegedly passed on to consumers. According to consumer rights campaigner Nikki Stopford, who is bringing the claim on behalf of UK consumers, Android device makers that wanted access to Google's Play Store had to accept its search service. The ad slinger also paid Apple billions to have Google Search as the default for the Safari browser in iOS.

The UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) granted permission for the claim to proceed earlier this week, after Google, among other things, protested that the allegations of abuse in relation to the iOS were "so weak that they ought to be struck out."

Stopford is leading the collective proceedings (basically a UK style class action case under the Consumer Rights Act 2015) against Google. She told The Register that the £7 billion ($8.8 billion) figure was a "conservative estimate" and could result in affected UK consumers receiving almost £100 ($125) each. The claim was brought on an opt-out basis.