Travel tech body calls for further action against Google

A travel body representing global distribution systems and online travel agencies has called for further action against Google, after a European court upheld a €2.42 billion fine imposed on the tech giant.

The General Court of the European Union has dismissed an appeal by Google, which was fined in 2017 by giving its own shopping recommendations an illegal advantage in search results.

The European Commission said Google had unfairly directed visitors to Google Shopping, to the detriment of competitors.

Eu travel tech welcomed the decision, calling it “an important step in making Google stop its abusive practices and the damages they inflict on competition and consumers, but it should not end here”.

It said in a statement that the European Commission must investigate Google’s practices in the travel sector.

“Today’s decision of the EU General Court in the Google Shopping case marks an important turnaround by forcing Google to stop discriminatory practices of self-preferencing,” said the statement.