On 7 September 2023, collective proceedings were launched in the Competiton Appeal Tribunal (“CAT”) alleging that Google had unfairly restricted competition for internet search, and that this had led to higher prices for consumers.
The collective action argues that Google used its position in the UK search engine market to overcharge advertisers, who in turn passed those additional costs directly on to their customers. The claim seeks £7bn on behalf anyone who is 16 or older who purchased goods and/or services from a business selling in the UK, which used search advertising services provided by Google.
The anti-competitive behaviour relied on relates to both Android and iOS mobile devices: in relation to the former, Google forced mobile phone handset manufacturers to pre-install the Google Search and Google Chrome browser apps on devices that used Google’s Android operating system. As for the latter, Google paid billions to Apple to ensure that Google was the default search engine on devices, such as the iPhone, that used Apple’s iOS operating system.
Mehdi Baiou and Andrew Lomas are instructed on behalf of the proposed class representative by Hausfeld LLP. Proceedings are ongoing.