M6 Secures €23 Million Victory Against Google Over Anticompetitive Online Advertising Practices

The French media group M6 has won a significant legal battle against Google, with a Paris court ordering the tech giant to pay nearly €23 million in damages and legal fees. This ruling, confirmed on March 11, 2026, stems from allegations that Google engaged in anticompetitive practices by favoring its own advertising platform over competitors in the online advertising market. The court ordered Google to pay approximately €22.7 million in damages, plus €230,000 in legal costs.

Google has expressed strong disagreement with the court’s decision, calling it disproportionate and announcing plans to appeal. The ruling references prior sanctions against Google, including a €220 million fine imposed by the French competition authority in June 2021 and a hefty €2.95 billion fine levied by the European Commission in September 2022. Notably, the European Commission extended the infringement period to 2022, increasing the damages owed by Google. This legal scrutiny comes amid growing tensions over the regulation of major American tech companies in Europe.

Besides this high-profile case, Google faces additional legal challenges in both France and the United States concerning its dominance in the online advertising sector, with several other French media groups pursuing similar claims. The ongoing litigation highlights the increasing pressure on Big Tech firms to maintain fair competition practices in Europe’s digital markets.