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Italy's antitrust agency probes Booking.com for alleged unfair ...
The authority said preferred partners may have been ranked higher because they pay bigger commissions, which could mislead consumers and raise booking costs.
- On Wednesday, The Italian Competition Authority launched an investigation into Booking.com, Booking.com International, and Booking.com for allegedly engaging in unfair commercial practices.
- AGCM officials and members of Italy's Guardia di Finanza financial crimes police inspected the premises of Booking on Tuesday, investigating concerns over search result visibility linked to commission payments.
- The authority claims the Preferred Partner Programme appears to prioritize accommodation providers paying higher commissions, potentially misleading consumers into believing these listings offer better overall value for money.
- A spokesperson for Booking told AFP the company is "cooperating fully with the AGCM in the ongoing investigation" and maintains its Partner Programme "meets the requirements of consumer protection legislation."
- Available in 45 languages, the platform claims to have facilitated 6.8 billion guest arrivals since 2010, while also providing flights and car rentals.
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17 Articles
The Italian Competition Authority, AGCM, announced Wednesday that it investigates the platform for booking Booking.com accommodation, which it suspects it has offered more visibility to suppliers who pay higher commissions, a situation that can lead, according to the institution, to the choice of more expensive accommodation by customers, has transmitted AFP. AGCM employees and ...
·Romania
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Company has a preferred partner program that offers accommodation providers who meet certain eligibility criteria better visibility in search results
·Brazil
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The online travel giant is suspected of favouring on its platforms hosting providers who pay higher commissions to it The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has
·France
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Total News Sources17
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
L 33%
C 56%
11%
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