Google Faces New Wave of Private Antitrust Claims After EU Digital Markets Act Fine

According to Reuters, legal experts and litigation funders expect the European Commission’s recent €890 million (about $1 billion) Digital Markets Act (DMA) penalty against Google to encourage a growing number of private lawsuits across Europe. Several existing claims are also expected to gain momentum, with total damages sought potentially reaching approximately $10 billion.

The Commission imposed the fine on July 23 after concluding that Google violated provisions of the DMA by favoring its own services in search results and restricting app developers from directing users to less expensive purchasing options outside Google Play. The decision marked the first time regulators levied financial penalties against Google under the EU’s flagship digital competition law.

Private litigation expected to expand

The regulatory decision is expected to strengthen the position of businesses seeking compensation for losses they attribute to Google’s market conduct.

Reuters reported that claims are emerging across several European jurisdictions, involving companies that compete with Google’s comparison-shopping and digital marketplace services. Among the businesses pursuing or advancing damages claims are Germany’s Idealo, Sweden’s PriceRunner, Italy’s Moltiply Group and UK-based Kelkoo, according to the news agency.

Some companies have already secured favorable court rulings. Reuters reported that a Berlin court awarded Idealo €465 million in damages, while a Stockholm court ordered Google to pay roughly $1.97 billion to PriceRunner. Other claims remain pending or are still being prepared.

Lawyers cited by Reuters said the Commission’s findings could provide important evidence in subsequent civil proceedings, potentially making it easier for claimants to argue that Google’s conduct violated European competition rules.

Read more: Google Seeks to Exclude EU DMA Decision From Evidence in UK Shopping Damages Trial

Competition policy enters a new enforcement stage

The anticipated lawsuits illustrate how European competition policy increasingly combines regulatory enforcement with private litigation.

The DMA, which took effect to curb the market power of the largest digital platforms designated as “gatekeepers,” supplements the EU’s traditional antitrust framework by imposing specific obligations intended to preserve fair competition in digital markets. Rather than relying solely on lengthy abuse-of-dominance investigations, the legislation establishes ex ante rules governing platform behavior.

Competition specialists cited by Reuters said the Commission’s latest decision may influence claims involving conduct that predates the DMA because courts may also consider established principles under Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which prohibits abuses of dominant market positions.

The growing reliance on follow-on damages actions reflects a broader objective of European competition policy: allowing businesses harmed by anticompetitive practices to pursue financial compensation in addition to public enforcement measures.

Google rejects allegations

Google has disputed both the Commission’s findings and the growing wave of damages claims.

According to Reuters, the company argues that competitors are seeking financial payouts rather than improving their own products and services. Google has also maintained that some of the changes required under the DMA could reduce the quality of user experiences and complicate security protections within its ecosystem.

The company has indicated it intends to challenge aspects of the Commission’s decision while continuing discussions with regulators over compliance measures. The European Commission has acknowledged that Google has been testing modifications to search results and app store policies as part of ongoing efforts to meet DMA requirements.

Source: Reuters