By TIN24 Editor Amit Alhat, dpa
Berlin, November 15, 2025 – In a landmark ruling that could echo across Europe’s digital marketplace, a German court has ordered U.S. tech giant Google to pay €465 million in damages to a domestic price-comparison platform. The decision marks one of the largest compensation awards in an ongoing series of antitrust battles involving Google’s market dominance.
The case centered on accusations that Google manipulated its search algorithms to favor its own comparison-shopping service, disadvantaging competitors and distorting fair competition. The court found that this practice significantly harmed smaller rivals, depriving them of traffic and ad revenue.
The German firm behind the complaint hailed the verdict as a major step toward restoring fair competition in online markets. In a statement, company representatives said the ruling reinforces that even the largest digital platforms must adhere to European competition laws.
Google stated it plans to appeal the ruling, maintaining that its services benefit consumers and merchants by making product searches faster and more relevant. Legal experts say the appeal process could extend for several years but may also influence how future EU regulations are enforced against major tech companies.
The ruling adds pressure on Google amid ongoing scrutiny by antitrust authorities across the European Union, who have intensified efforts to hold big tech accountable for dominance in search, advertising, and app distribution.
Author: The India News 24
TIN24 (The India News 24) The India News 24 (TIN24) is a Mumbai-based news Digital Media focusing on breaking news, local and regional issues in India, with content primarily in Marathi. It was established with an X (Twitter) presence since July 2022. Owner & News Editor: Amit Alhat Education: BA in Mass Communication Journalism (Graduate) Experience: 12 years in journalism Platforms: - Website: https://theindianews24.in - X (Twitter): https://x.com/the_indianews24 - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theindianews247 - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theindianews_24
