Inside Google

Consumer Watchdog Asks the FTC to Block Google’s Acquisition of Frommer

Carly Page

Internet services giant Google has announced plans to acquire travel brand Frommer for an undisclosed amount in a deal that has already come under fire from Consumer Watchdog.

Consumer Watchdog Calls for Google’s Acquisition of Frommer to be Blocked

Sooraj Shah

Google’s latest attempt to add more content to its local business listings by buying travel brand Frommer has been challenged by the Consumer Watchdog.

Google To Buy Frommer’s Travel Guides

Jessica Guynn

Longtime Google critic Consumer Watchdog, an organization based in Santa Monica, said it would call on federal antitrust authorities to block the purchase. “There is a fundamental conflict between being a search provider and a content provider,” Consumer Watchdog spokesman John Simpson said in an emailed statement.

How Google Barged Into The Travel Business

Staff Writers

“There is a fundamental conflict between being a search provider and a content provider,” said John M. Simpson, Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project Director.

Google Attacked By Antitrust Watchdog Over Frommer’s Buy

Matthew Finnegan

Google has snapped up travel guidebook brand Frommer’s, a deal which has been attacked by a consumer group over potential antitrust implications.

Mo Content, Mo Problems: Google’s Frommer’s Acquisition Could Lead To Additional Antitrust Scrutiny

Frederic Lardinois

With its recent purchase of Zagat and today’s announcement that it is acquiring travel guide company Frommer’s, there can be little doubt that Google is getting deeper into the content business. This move makes a lot of sense for Google, which is trying to add more content to its local reviews business and Knowledge Graph, but it could also put the company under additional scrutiny from antitrust investigators in the U.S. and elsewhere. Already, the consumer advocacy organization Consumer Watchdog is calling upon government regulators to block the acquisition.

Consumer Watchdog Urges Regulators To Block Google’s Purchase of Frommer’s Travel Guides

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA – Consumer Watchdog today called on federal antitrust regulators to block Google’s purchase of Frommer’s travel guides. “There is a fundamental conflict between being a search provider and a content provider,” said John M. Simpson, Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project Director. “As Google has increased its content and services, it has unfairly favored them in its search results and damaged competitors.”

Google Buys Frommer’s Travel Brand

Hayley Tsukayama

Critics of the ITA deal said Monday that the Frommer’s purchase raises similar issues. “This is further down the road of having content that will keep you on the site longer,” said John Simpson, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, who said regulators should block the deal. “There are serious potential antitrust questions around how the search function is used with a site that now is offering its own unique content.”

Consumer Watchdog Calls On California Legislature To Require Consumer Privacy Protections On Google’s Driverless Cars; Group Terms Earlier Amendment Inadequate

John M. Simpson

SANTA MONICA, CA — Google’s driverless cars should not be allowed on U.S. highways unless adequate privacy protections for users of the new technology are implemented and an amended bill in the California Legislature fails to deliver the necessary safeguards, Consumer Watchdog said today.

Google Hit With Record $22.5-Million Fine For Safari Tracking

Jessica Guynn

The FTC fines Google a record $22.5 million for violating the privacy of people who used Apple’s Safari Web browser even after pledging it would not.

In levying a record $22.5-million fine against Google Inc., the Federal Trade Commission said it wanted to send a clear message to the Internet giant that it won’t tolerate similar breaches in the future.