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19 November 2021 / David Greene
Issue: 7957 / Categories: Opinion , Collective action , Privacy
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A bumpy ride ahead for Google?

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Google and its detractors suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, as David Greene reports

Last week was an action-packed week for Google Inc on the swings and roundabouts of the judicial process; winning in the Supreme Court against a consumer campaigner seeking to bring a class action for an estimated four million iPhone users, but losing to the European Commission in the General Court of the European Court of Justice. Both decisions are of heightened significance for the legal community; closing the door on one aspect of domestic class actions but opening another door to many years of litigation for Google and its regulatory detractors.

Lloyd v Google ([2021] UKSC 50)

Richard Lloyd, a consumer campaigner, brought a claim against Google after Google agreed to pay hefty fines to the US Federal Trade Commission in relation to the misuse of customers’ data through its DoubleClick Ad software. Claims followed in the courts with a US class action and a claim here by three individuals (Vidal-Hall v Google).

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Browne Jacobson—Vicky Tomlinson

Browne Jacobson—Vicky Tomlinson

Browne Jacobson appoints Vicky Tomlinson as Head of Independent Health and Care

DWF—five appointments

DWF—five appointments

DWF further strengthens major injury and casualty offering with new partner and four directors from DAC Beachcroft

Switalskis—Laura Ornsby

Switalskis—Laura Ornsby

Switalskis strengthens Grimsby child care team

NEWS
The Financial Reporting Council’s revised Audit Enforcement Procedure will alter the balance of power in corporate investigations
A telecoms operator may be able to hold over under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, yet still be unable to secure a renewal: an outcome described as a legal ‘paradox’

Safety fears do not automatically justify shutting an interested person out of a statutory will application

Consumer credit law is heading for its biggest shake-up in 50 years, with the Consumer Credit Act 1974 set to yield much of its detailed statutory machinery to FCA rules
The Supreme Court has settled a long-running dispute over part-time workers: unfavourable treatment need be a significant or effective cause, not the sole cause
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