Google faces UK class action

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal on August 5 certified an opt-out class action against Google over alleged abuses in search advertising, allowing the case to proceed on behalf of hundreds of thousands of British businesses. The claim was brought by Or Brook Class Representative Limited, which says Google used dominant positions in mobile operating systems, app distribution, general search services and search advertising to overcharge advertisers and exclude rivals. The tribunal said Brook estimates total damages at about £5 billion. Google had asked the tribunal not to certify the case, but the panel rejected those objections and allowed the claim to go forward. ### Who is suing Google, and on whose behalf? Or Brook Class Representative Limited is seeking to act for a class of advertisers that bought Google search advertising in the UK. The tribunal’s case page says the proceedings were registered on April 16, 2025, and name Alphabet Inc, Google LLC, Google Ireland Limited, Google UK Limited, Google Asia Pacific Pte Limited and Google Commerce Limited as defendants. (catribunal.org.uk) The tribunal said Brook alleges Google’s conduct caused class members to suffer loss by producing supra-competitive advertising prices. The case summary says the alleged abuses and harm are substantially similar to those in the separate Nikki Stopford proceedings. ### What exactly did the tribunal decide on August 5? (catribunal.org.uk) The Competition Appeal Tribunal said it certified the proceedings on an opt-out basis. That means eligible class members are included unless they choose to exclude themselves, rather than having to sign up individually. Google’s objections, the tribunal said, fell into four groups: Brook’s funding arrangements and costs, amendments to the claim form, the proposed class definition, and whether the case should proceed on an opt-out or opt-in basis. (catribunal.org.uk) The panel said the balance of factors overall weighed in favor of opt-out certification. ### What conduct does the claim accuse Google of? The tribunal’s case description says the proceedings allege Google abused a dominant market position in general search and search advertising to overcharge advertisers and exclude competitors. The certification summary adds allegations tied to connected markets including mobile operating systems and app distribution. (catribunal.org.uk) The tribunal did not decide the merits of those allegations in the certification ruling. The August 5 decision addressed whether the claim could proceed as collective proceedings, not whether Google is liable. That is an inference from the tribunal’s certification summary and case status, which describe the ruling as certification of the proceedings. (catribunal.org.uk) ### Why did Google fail to block the case at this stage? The tribunal said some of Google’s concerns about Brook’s costs had force, but were not enough to prevent certification. The panel said other issues, including class definition, continuing loss and limitation, would be better resolved through a later formalization process. (catribunal.org.uk) The August 5 summary also notes that Brook’s claim became the sole proposed collective proceedings on this subject after a carriage dispute with a rival proposed claim was resolved in November 2025. That left the tribunal to decide whether Brook’s case should be certified. ### What happens next in the proceedings? (catribunal.org.uk) The tribunal said Brook must provide a letter of formalisation within 14 days of publication of the decision. That letter is to address matters including class definition, continuing loss and limitation. The case page lists the proceedings as certified by judgment dated August 5, 2026. (catribunal.org.uk) The next formal steps will take place in the Competition Appeal Tribunal as the parties move from certification into the litigation phase on the underlying competition claims against Google and the other named defendants. (catribunal.org.uk)