A Swedish court has ordered Alphabet's Google to pay nearly $2 billion to PriceRunner, a comparison shopping service now owned by fintech giant Klarna.
The ruling stems from a long-running antitrust dispute. The case is based on the European Commission's 2017 finding that Google illegally favored its own Google Shopping service in search results, harming competitors. That decision was upheld by the EU Court in 2024.
PriceRunner filed a private damages claim, arguing Google's conduct directly damaged its business. Klarna acquired PriceRunner in 2022, inheriting the lawsuit. The trial was held from October to December 2025.
This judgment highlights a significant financial risk for dominant tech platforms. While the EU's original €2.42 billion fine was historic, private damages claims can multiply the total exposure as each harmed competitor can sue.
For Klarna, which has been moving toward profitability and a potential public listing, the verdict represents a major financial windfall. The acquisition of PriceRunner is now seen as a strategic move.
The final judgment is scheduled for July 1, 2026.