"European Publishers Demand Justice with $2.3 Billion Lawsuit Against Google"

European media groups, including Axel Springer and Schibsted, have filed a €2.1 billion ($2.3 billion) lawsuit against Google, alleging that the company's practices in digital advertising have led to losses for publishers. The lawsuit, filed by 32 media groups from several European countries, accuses Google of abusing its dominant position in the digital ad-tech market.

The media companies claim that Google's misconduct has resulted in a less competitive market, leading to lower revenues from advertising and higher fees for ad tech services. They argue that these funds could have been reinvested to strengthen the European media landscape.

The lawsuit comes amid increasing regulatory scrutiny of Google's ad-tech business. The French competition authority imposed a €220 million fine on Google in 2021, and the European Commission has also charged Google with antitrust violations.

Google has responded to the lawsuit, stating that it opposes the claims, which it considers "speculative and opportunistic." The company says it works constructively with publishers and that its advertising tools evolve in partnership with them.

The media groups filed the lawsuit in a Dutch court, citing the country's reputation for handling antitrust damages claims in Europe and to avoid multiple claims in different European countries. Other media groups involved in the lawsuit include Krone from Austria, DPG Media and Mediahuis from Belgium, TV2 Danmark A/S from Denmark, Sanoma from Finland, Agora from Poland Agora from Poland, and Ringier from Switzerland.