The online classified ads platform Leboncoin, run by the Norwegian group Adevinta, is seeking €952 million in damages from Google in the French courts for its alleged anti-competitive practices in online advertising, according to French media outlet mind Media.
This claim reportedly represents the largest estimated damage among cases filed by media publishers in France against Google.
Belgian media group Rossel, which owns outlets such as Le Soir, Sudinfo, 50% of RTL Belgium, and L’Echo, as well as soon IPM group, has also filed a lawsuit against Google in the Paris Court for Economic Affairs, seeking €832 million for similar anti-competitive behaviours in the ad tech sector.
The same court is handling Leboncoin’s claim. According to mind Media, the €952 million figure includes damages in France (€248 million) and in other European countries: the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Spain (totalling €704 million).
Google denies causing any harm to Leboncoin, according to the specialised site tracking the various lawsuits by French media companies against the American internet giant.
As in Rossel’s case, the court’s decision is expected in the autumn.
