Google is facing fresh legal and financial pressure after consumers launched a claim seeking $2.36 billion in damages following a major privacy verdict against the tech giant. The lawsuit, filed in the wake of a recent European court decision, accuses Google of systematically violating user privacy by tracking personal data without proper consent.
Background: Privacy Violations Come Under Fire
Earlier this month, a European court found Google guilty of breaching privacy laws related to data handling and user consent mechanisms. The ruling concluded that Google’s practices around personalized advertising and data profiling lacked transparency and violated the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The latest claim seeks financial redress for millions of affected users across the European Union.
Consumer Groups Unite for Class Action
Consumer advocacy groups across several EU countries have united to push for the compensation, arguing that Google unfairly profited from users’ private data for years. They claim that users were “systematically tracked and profiled” through hidden settings and deceptive data permissions, which led to significant violations of digital privacy rights.
Google’s Response: Company Denies Wrongdoing
Google has strongly denied the allegations, stating that its data collection practices comply with all applicable laws and provide users with clear privacy controls. The company has said it plans to appeal the ruling and labeled the damages claim as “excessive and unfounded.”
Legal Experts See a Landmark Case
Legal analysts believe this could become one of the largest consumer compensation cases in tech history. If successful, it could set a precedent for future privacy-related lawsuits against global tech firms. The case also underscores increasing scrutiny from European regulators over data-driven business models.
Potential Impact on Big Tech
The $2.36 billion demand not only threatens Google’s finances but could also reshape how technology companies operate in Europe. Privacy campaigners argue that the verdict marks a turning point in digital accountability, signaling that breaches of personal data trust will no longer go unpunished.