More than 30 European media groups, including Axel Springer and Schibsted, are suing Google in the District Court of Amsterdam for about €2.1B. They allege that Google abused its dominance in advertising technology, cutting their ad revenue and raising their fees. On June 5, 2026, the funder LitFin announced a claim there by a second group of 21 publishers, including FD Mediagroep and Le Point SEBDO, for more than €640M.
Latest development Jun 5, 2026
On June 5, 2026, the litigation funder LitFin announced a separate claim against Google in Amsterdam by 21 European news publishers, including Le Point SEBDO and FD Mediagroep. They seek more than €640M, building on the European Commission’s 2025 ad tech decision. The earlier €2.1B claim is pending.
Why it matters
The claims test whether European publishers can recover lost advertising revenue and excess fees from Google in one Dutch court. They build on French and EU findings of abuse in ad tech and together seek more than €2.7B.
Background
In 2021, France’s competition authority fined Google €220M over its conduct in advertising technology. It found that Google had abused a dominant position by favoring its own ad tech tools. In 2023, the European Commission sent Google a statement of objections about the same conduct.
On February 28, 2024, more than 30 media groups from across Europe filed a joint damages claim against Google in the District Court of Amsterdam, seeking about €2.1B. The claimants include Axel Springer, Schibsted, Krone, DPG Media, Mediahuis, TV2 Danmark, Sanoma, Agora, Prensa Ibérica, and Ringier. Represented by Geradin Partners and Stek, they allege that Google favored its own ad tech tools over those of rivals. They say that with fair competition they would have earned more from advertising and paid lower ad tech fees. They chose a Dutch court to avoid separate claims in several countries. Google said it opposes the claim and called it “speculative and opportunistic.”
On September 5, 2025, the European Commission fined Google €2.95B for abusing its dominance in ad tech by favoring its own exchange, AdX. It gave Google 60 days to propose measures to end its conflicts of interest along the ad tech supply chain, and Google said it would appeal. On June 5, 2026, the litigation funder LitFin announced a second claim in Amsterdam, for more than €640M. It was filed by 21 European news publishers, including Le Point SEBDO and FD Mediagroep. Global Competition Review described it as the first claim to follow the Commission’s decision.
The two separate claims together seek more than €2.7B. No ruling in either claim has been reported.
Timeline 4 events
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FilingLitFin announces second ad tech claim against Google by 21 publishers
The group, including Le Point SEBDO and FD Mediagroep, seeks more than €640M in Amsterdam, building on the Commission’s 2025 decision.
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OtherEuropean Commission fines Google €2.95B over ad tech
The Commission found that Google favored its own AdX exchange and gave it 60 days to propose measures. Google said it would appeal.
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FilingMore than 30 media groups sue Google in Amsterdam for €2.1B
Media groups from across Europe, including Axel Springer and Schibsted, filed a joint claim through Geradin Partners and Stek. Google called it “speculative and opportunistic.”
European Publishers CouncilThe Globe and Mail (Reuters)Sanoma
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OtherFrench competition authority fines Google €220M over ad tech
The authority found that Google had abused a dominant position by favoring its own ad tech tools. The 2024 claimants rely on this decision.