ECJ Confirms Google’s Anti-Competitive Practices, Idealo Hails Victory for Fair E-Commerce

ECJ Confirms Google’s Anti-Competitive Practices, Idealo Hails Victory for Fair E-Commerce

(IN BRIEF) The European Court of Justice (ECJ) upheld the European Commission’s decision that Google abused its dominant market position by favoring its own shopping service, misleading consumers, and harming competition. idealo, a price comparison platform, welcomed the ruling as a win for fair competition and consumers in the e-commerce sector. The ruling strengthens the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and paves the way for idealo’s ongoing damages lawsuit against Google.

(PRESS RELEASE) BERLIN, 10-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has upheld the European Commission’s ruling that Google abused its dominant market position by favoring its own shopping service, misleading consumers, and stifling competition. This landmark decision marks a victory for the e-commerce industry and consumers across Europe. idealo, a leading price comparison platform and one of the key players in the case, has been fighting this issue for over a decade alongside other companies, consumer organizations, and business associations.

Albrecht von Sonntag, co-founder and advisory board member of idealo, hailed the decision as a major step forward for fair competition in the digital space, noting that the judgment strengthens the foundation for fairer market conditions and enhances consumer protection.

The ruling also reinforces the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA), designed to prevent monopolistic practices like Google’s self-preferencing. idealo, which filed a damages claim against Google in 2019, will continue pursuing compensation for the years of harm caused by Google’s market abuse.

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SOURCE: Axel Springer SE