By Foo Yun Chee
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – More than 20 price comparison websites across Europe criticized Google’s proposed changes to search results on Wednesday. They say they are still out of compliance with EU technology rules and are urging regulators to file charges against the Alphabet (NASDAQ:) unit.
Google has been consulting with comparison sites, hotels, airlines, restaurants and retailers for over a year on how to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which prohibits it from favoring its products and services on its platform.
Last month it announced its latest proposal, which includes expanded and similarly formatted units, allowing users to choose between comparison sites and vendor websites.
It could also bring back its old “ten blue links” format from years ago as an alternative if it can’t come to terms with its rivals. This format is now being tested in Germany, Belgium and Estonia.
The price comparison websites, including Germany’s Idealo and billiger.de, France’s Le Guide, PriceRunner, Kelkoo and Kieskeurig.nl and trovaprezzi.it, said Google had not listened to their feedback.
“Google has simply repeatedly ignored this feedback and instead continued to repeat the same non-compliant solution for months,” they wrote in an open letter.
“If Google has not taken feedback into account after more than a hundred events, it can only mean one thing: Google is deliberately not adhering to the DMA.”
When asked for comment, Google referred to its November 26 blog post in which it pointed out the many changes it had made over the past year to comply with the DMA and find a solution.
The websites called on the European Commission to take action against Google.
“The Commission has opened proceedings against Google for non-compliance. It should continue with such proceedings, issue preliminary findings and impose fines on Google, including penalty payments, to force Google to finally listen and comply,” they said.
