Google loses court fight against $854,250 Italian fine over gambling advertising
European Court Ruling and Implications for Google
By Foo Yun Chee
Background of the Case
BRUSSELS, July 16 (Reuters) - Alphabet unit Google on Thursday lost its fight against a €750,000 ($854,250) fine imposed for gambling advertising on its YouTube video platform four years ago as Europe's top court sided with Italy's communication authority.
Google had challenged the fine handed out by an Italian administrative court in 2022, prompting that court to seek guidance from the Luxembourg-based Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
Google's Defense and Legal Arguments
The U.S. tech giant said it was shielded from liability for content uploaded by third parties under EU telecoms rules. The YouTube videos promoting online gambling had been uploaded by a content creator with a commercial partnership deal with Google.
Big Tech has repeatedly cited this exemption against attempts by regulators and users to hold them responsible for content uploaded to their platforms amid growing worries globally about the impact of social media on children.
CJEU's Judgement and Reasoning
"Google may be held liable for the YouTube videos of a content creator with whom it has a commercial partnership," the CJEU said.
Judges said online platforms could claim exemption from liability if they merely "act as an intermediary service provider carrying out a strictly technical, automated and passive activity, excluding any knowledge or control over the information which is transmitted or stored."
"That is not the case where an operator reviews, for the purpose of concluding a commercial partnership contract, the main theme of a video channel, that channel's most viewed videos or newest videos and the associated metadata," the CJEU said.
Aftermath and Next Steps
Google did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
The Italian court will now rule on the merits of the case based on the CJEU's judgement.
Case Reference and Reporting
The case is C-421/24AGCOM (Online gambling).
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Mark Potter and Susan Fenton)
