Inside Google

More fallout from Google’s proposed purchase of Internet advertising powerhouse ITA Software, which was announced earlier this month.

Barry Diller, chairman of the online travel site Expedia, calls the deal “disturbing” and says regulators should block it or place conditions.

“I think it is disturbing that Google is moving into serving individual spaces, rather than being search neutral,” Mr Diller told the Financial Times. “It is a dangerous step because it is inevitably going to cause problems with customers and regulatory authorities.”

By “serving individual spaces” Diller means “competing with Expedia.”

Regulators have to decide whether “serving individual spaces” also means Google is using its market power to obtain unfair advantage over competitors.

The decision is expected to take months.