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.
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Consumer Watchdog Calls for Google’s Acquisition of Frommer to be Blocked
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How Google Barged Into The Travel Business
“There is a fundamental conflict between being a search provider and a content provider,” said John M. Simpson, Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project Director.
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Google Attacked By Antitrust Watchdog Over Frommer’s Buy
Google has snapped up travel guidebook brand Frommer’s, a deal which has been attacked by a consumer group over potential antitrust implications.
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Mo Content, Mo Problems: Google’s Frommer’s Acquisition Could Lead To Additional Antitrust Scrutiny
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.
Press Release
Consumer Watchdog Urges Regulators To Block Google’s Purchase of Frommer’s Travel Guides
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.”
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Google Buys Frommer’s Travel Brand
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.”
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Google Hit With Record $22.5-Million Fine For Safari Tracking
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.
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Google Said to Face Fine by U.S. Over Apple Safari Breach
Google Inc. (GOOG) agreed to pay $22.5 million, the largest fine ever levied by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, to settle allegations that it breached Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s Safari Internet browser.
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Google Pays $22.5 Million To Settle Apple Safari Charges
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Google Inc will pay $22.5 million to settle charges it bypassed the privacy settings of customers using Apple Inc’s Safari browser, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said on Thursday.
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Google To Pay $22.5M Fine Over Privacy Practices
Google will pay a historic fine to settle U.S. government charges that it violated privacy laws when it tracked via cookies users of Apple’s Safari browser.