Self-serving in the land of self catering
Online travel agency Expedia has moaned to the EU that Google has breached EU rules.
The company will join a dozen other firms that have taken their case to the European Commission in the last two years. EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia will decide after Easter whether to formally charge Google or drop the investigation.
Expedia said it had details of specific business and search practices by Google that violated EU competition and consumer protection laws. Brent Thompson, senior vice president of government affairs told the world+dog that he had proof how Google's conduct harms competition and consumers.
"Expedia believes that strong action is needed by the European Commission to restore a fair and competitive marketplace in online search that respects consumers' rights," he said.
Google said that it has been cooperating with the European Commission since this investigation began. There are now 12 complaints with the EU watchdog, the majority of them small competitors across Europe, which claimed that Google demoted their sites and promoted its own services. Google has denied that it stifles competition.
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Nick Farrell
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