Mon Oct 28 22:59:09 UTC 2024: ## Google Ordered to Pay £2.4 Billion Fine in Landmark Antitrust Case
**London, UK** – In a major legal setback, Google has been ordered to pay a hefty £2.4 billion fine after losing a 15-year battle against a UK couple. The case centered on allegations of market dominance abuse in relation to Google’s shopping comparison service.
The legal victory belongs to Shivaun and Adam Raff, founders of the price comparison website Foundem. They alleged that their site was unfairly penalized by Google’s spam filter, pushing it down in search results and severely limiting its visibility to users. Despite repeated requests to Google, the penalty remained in place, causing a dramatic drop in Foundem’s traffic and ultimately leading to its closure in 2016.
The Rafffs’s case gained momentum in 2010 when they approached the European Commission. An investigation revealed that Google had unfairly promoted its own shopping service over competitors like Foundem. In 2017, the Commission ruled against Google, imposing a record £2.4 billion fine for abusing its market dominance.
Google appealed the ruling, but the European Court of Justice dismissed its appeal in September 2023. The Raffs are now pursuing a civil damages claim against Google, set for trial in early 2026.
This landmark case highlights the ongoing scrutiny faced by tech giants over their market power and potential anti-competitive practices. The hefty fine and continued legal battle serve as a strong warning to companies seeking to exploit their dominant positions.
First Piper 