Some of Europe’s leading news companies, including Axel Springer (owner of POLITICO), Norway-based Schibsted, and Benelux groups like DPG Media and Mediahuis, are part of the media groups in the coalition that claims to cover 17 European countries.
The lawsuit was filed in a Dutch court.
In June last year, the European Commission sent antitrust charges to Google concerning its advertising business.
“Our preliminary concern is that Google may have used its market position to favor its own intermediation services,” said Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager at the time.
“Not only did this possibly harm Google’s competitors, but it also affected publishers’ interests and increased advertisers’ costs.”
The European Union’s competition watchdog has been investigating Google’s online display advertising business since 2021, having previously looked into the company’s shopping search service, mobile phone software, and advertising contracts, resulting in fines amounting to over €8 billion.
“Google collaborates with publishers across Europe,” stated Google’s legal director Oliver Bethell, regarding the lawsuit as “speculative and opportunistic.” “We will vigorously oppose it based on facts.”
Reporting by Edith Hancock.
