Google Faces Legal Challenges Over Anticompetitive Practices in Germany

Google has been ordered to pay approximately 572 million euros, or nearly 665 million dollars, for anticompetitive practices in Germany, according to a ruling from a Berlin court. This penalty is directed towards two German companies, Idealo and Producto, both of which operate as price comparison platforms.

The court found that Google abused its dominant market position by favoring its own service, Google Shopping, in search results. Idealo initiated legal action against Google, claiming that the tech giant's self-preferencing practices led to unfair advantages that stifled competition in the market.

Initially, Idealo sought damages of at least 3.3 billion euros, or more than 3.8 billion dollars, back in February 2025. In response to the ruling, Google stated that it implemented changes in 2017 to allow competing shopping platforms the same opportunities for ad visibility in Google Search as Google Shopping.

However, Idealo's representatives expressed that the compensation awarded is merely a fraction of the actual damages incurred. Albrecht von Sonntag, co-founder of Idealo, emphasized the need for accountability, stating that the abuse of dominance should not be a profitable business model for companies like Google.

This case is not an isolated incident, as Google has faced multiple legal challenges in Europe regarding similar anticompetitive behaviors. Earlier, the European Commission imposed a fine of nearly 3 billion euros, or over 3.4 billion dollars, on Google for its practices in the advertising tech sector.

The scrutiny from regulators, particularly in the European Union, reflects a broader concern about the influence and market practices of major tech firms. As Google continues to navigate these legal battles, the implications for its operations and strategies in Europe remain significant, particularly in light of ongoing discussions around the Digital Markets Act, which aims to curb monopolistic practices in the tech industry.

The outcome of these legal challenges could reshape how Google and similar companies operate within the marketplace moving forward.