Google faces second class action probe linked to adtech
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The news: Melbourne-based class action law firm Phi Finney McDonald has announced it is investigating a possible class action against Google over alleged anticompetitive conduct linked to digital advertising.
The context: The investigation is the second of its kind and comes just days after Maurice Blackburn unveiled its own probe into the tech giant for a possible class action lawsuit. Once again, legal teams from both law firms are chasing similar legal action, after collaborating earlier this year in class actions against Apple and Google that were linked to Fortnite developer Epic Games' lawsuits against the companies.
Phi Finney McDonald has said the class action will seek compensation for advertisers, publishers and others who have suffered loss as a result of Google’s alleged anti-competitive conduct.
What they said: In a media statement announcing the investigation, Joel Phibbs, principal lawyer at Phi Finney McDonald said: "Imagine if the ASX owned and controlled the majority of brokerages buying and selling securities on that exchange, so that it could preference transactions that benefit its own interests above those of the people wanting to trade".
"Regulation of the ad tech space has not kept up with the rapid growth and dominance of Google, and, until recent moves by regulators and class action lawyers globally, Google has exploited its position of dominance to the detriment of publishers and advertisers unchecked. This has flow on effects for the resources available to and the viability of important publishers, like news services,” Phibbs said.
“Commentators have also suggested that Google’s conduct flows directly through to inflationary pressures on the costs of goods and services borne by everyday Australians as a result of advertisers paying more to advertise their products than they would in a world in which healthy competition in online advertising exists."
The source: Phi Finney McDonald
