Google is starting an appeal against the European Commission’s decision to fine it over its shopping comparison practices. The hearing, which will take place in Luxembourg, will decide whether Google can avoid paying a €2.4 billion fine that it was handed in 2017 from the EU.

In a statement, Google, which argues the case has no legal or economic merit, said:

“We're appealing [against] the European Commission's 2017 Google Shopping decision because it is wrong on the law, the facts, and the economics. Shopping ads have always helped people find the products they are looking for quickly and easily, and helped merchants to reach potential customers. We look forward to making our case in court and demonstrating that we have improved quality and increased choice for consumers.”

According to Google, the EC’s decision in 2017 to fine it was unfair because the latter’s investigation didn’t scrutinise other players such as Amazon. In its appeal, it will argue this as well as the fact that comparison shopping services aren’t used as much today as people prefer to go straight to online marketplaces like Amazon and compare prices there instead.

The European Commission has the backing of shopping comparison sites such as Kelkoo, Twenga, and Foundem who believe that Google abused its market dominance to give itself the advantage over the competition.

Source: BBC News