Google slapped with $1 million fine for misleading French hotel rankings
After receiving complaints from hoteliers about Google's rankings, the French governments fraud and competition agency launched an investigation in 2019 and 2020
- Feb 16, 2021,
- Updated Feb 16, 2021 8:56 AM IST
Google has agreed to pay a fine of 1.1 million euros ($1.3 million) after French authorities concluded the search engine displayed misleading rankings for French hotels.
Previously, Google used the official source Atout France as well as input from other hotel-industry websites in its algorithm to rank hotels from one to five stars.
After receiving complaints from hoteliers about Google's rankings, the French governments fraud and competition agency launched an investigation in 2019 and 2020. It said it was to monitor the nature and fairness of the information provided by the platform across 7,500 establishments.
Google said that it has now made the necessary changes to only reflect the official French star rating for hotels on Google Maps and Search.
Also read: Australia media major strikes news payment deal with Google
Google has agreed to pay a fine of 1.1 million euros ($1.3 million) after French authorities concluded the search engine displayed misleading rankings for French hotels.
Previously, Google used the official source Atout France as well as input from other hotel-industry websites in its algorithm to rank hotels from one to five stars.
After receiving complaints from hoteliers about Google's rankings, the French governments fraud and competition agency launched an investigation in 2019 and 2020. It said it was to monitor the nature and fairness of the information provided by the platform across 7,500 establishments.
Google said that it has now made the necessary changes to only reflect the official French star rating for hotels on Google Maps and Search.
Also read: Australia media major strikes news payment deal with Google