Google has proposed a $500 million investment over the next ten years to improve its regulatory compliance structure, as part of a settlement to resolve a shareholder lawsuit filed in 2021. The lawsuit, brought by two Michigan-based investment funds, alleged that Google’s executives failed to uphold their duties to investors by allowing practices that exposed the company to legal challenges. These included claims of anticompetitive conduct in search, advertising, and mobile app markets. While shareholders have agreed to the settlement, it still requires court approval to take effect. The move follows recent legal findings that Google held unlawful monopolies in advertising and search services, rulings the company plans to contest.
The proposed compliance upgrade includes establishing a dedicated risk and compliance committee at the board level, supported by two new internal groups consisting of Vice Presidents and Product Team Managers. Google also plans to revise its internal protocols for handling violations and reviewing partner contracts, which were central to the litigation. These reforms will remain active for at least four years and cover broader regulatory areas beyond antitrust. Google stated its intention to avoid extended legal proceedings while continuing to invest in stronger oversight processes across its operations.
