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You may be entitled to compensation from a major lawsuit that accuses Google of shutting out search engine competition at a cost to all UK consumers.



The Claim

Google to go on trial

The Competition Appeal Tribunal has said the £7 billion claim against Google* can go to trial. Nikki Stopford brings the claim on behalf of UK consumers who from 1 January 2011 to 7 September 2023 bought goods or services from businesses in the UK who advertised using Google’s search advertising services.

The claim against Google

Google is accused of shutting out competition in the search market. This has enabled Google to raise the prices paid by advertisers for prominence on the Google search page. These inflated prices have been passed on to consumers, who were charged higher prices for the goods and services they bought.

How can I claim compensation?

You could be eligible to claim compensation if the claim against Google is won or settled. Register here to stay updated.

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What do I need to know now?

You have important legal rights. Exercising these rights could affect your ability to get a compensation payment in the future:

Stay in the claim: All eligible consumers living in the UK on 22 November 2024 do not need to do anything now to participate in the claim. If the claim is won or settled, you may be entitled to compensation. If you stay in the claim, you give up the right to make a separate claim against Google for the same issues in this case, and you agree to your interests being represented in this claim

Opt-out of the claim: All eligible consumers living in the UK on 22 November 2024 have the right to ask to be excluded from the claim. You must do this by 18 March 2025 by completing and submitting the Opt-Out form. You keep the right to bring a separate claim against Google if you choose to opt-out of the claim but will not be entitled to compensation from this claim.

How to stay updated on the case against Google?

Register here for information and updates as the case develops.

FAQs

* The Google entities involved in the claim are Alphabet Inc., Google LLC, Google Ireland Limited and Google UK Limited.


What does this mean for you?

If you have lived in the UK, are aged 16 years or over and have, since 1 January 2011, purchased any goods and/or services from businesses selling in the UK which used search advertising services provided by Google, you will automatically be included as a class member and may be eligible for compensation if the claim is successful. You can get involved by staying up-to-date with the claim:

How will we keep you updated?

Our website explains the proposed claim for compensation brought by Nikki Stopford against Google in respect of Google’s unlawful conduct in the search advertising market. We will keep it updated with any new developments, and be in touch by email with our updates.

About us

Nikki Stopford

Nikki Stopford

Nikki Stopford has 25 years of experience in advocating and raising industry standards for consumers. She has expertise in consumer research, engagement, advocacy and publishing, and in the development of consumer-facing digital products and services. She has held executive leadership roles running successful digital and content-led consumer-facing businesses that have engaged and advocated for millions of consumers.

She is the co-founder and joint CEO of Consumer Voice – a newly launched website and consumer community in the UK dedicated to promoting awareness of and engagement with group legal actions.

She is the current Chair of the British Standards Institute (BSI) Consumer Forum which brings together consumer advocacy organisations, government departments, regulators and enforcement agencies to strengthen the UK consumer voice in standards.

For over 10 years, she was Group Director of Research and Publishing at Which? – the UK's largest consumer organisation. She was also Chief Operating Officer at Resolver, a well-known technology, data and digital business operating in consumer complaints and dispute resolution markets.

Hausfeld

Nikki Stopford has instructed the law firm Hausfeld & Co. LLP to represent her in the claim. Hausfeld is a leading disputes-only law firm specialising in competition law, with significant expertise in all aspects of collective redress and group claims. In particular, Hausfeld & Co. LLP has extensive experience in managing litigation against global “Big Tech” companies, including opt-out collective claims such as these.

Latest News

BusinessWire

23 December 2024

Confirmed – Class Action Seeking Over £7bn From Google Approved to Proceed

The Competition Appeal Tribunal has confirmed that Nikki Stopford’s class action claim of over £7bn against Google for alleged breaches of competition law in respect of its search services in the UK may proceed to a full trial.

The Times

3 December 2024

Meet the woman trying to win Britons £100 each from Google

Nikki Stopford’s Consumer Voice has a £7bn claim against Google on behalf of almost everyone in the UK, with Apple and BT also class-action targets.

Computer Weekly

27 November 2024

Stage is set for legal battles over Big Tech dominance

Having lost its case to drop a £7bn collective claim, Google is facing increased legal scrutiny on a number of fronts over its business practices