Google will comply with EU rules

The European Commission says that Google will adjust its Google store, Google Play store, Google hotels and Google flights to comply with EU rules for consumers. Google will make the information more transparent and more explicit for consumers.
It was previously announced that Google would also implement changes in India to comply with the guidelines of the competition authority there.
"We see that more and more consumers use the internet to book their holiday, make purchases, or view a review. Consumers in the EU have the right to clear, complete information so they can make the right choices," says EU Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders. "The efforts that Google promises to make are a step in this direction."
Google Hotels will now follow the same rules as other platforms, such as Booking.com and Expedia. Google Flights and Google Hotels will soon make a clear distinction between services that Google offers and services in which it acts as an intermediary for other companies. Google will also provide more insight into the reference prices used to indicate discounts and clarify that Google Hotels does not verify its reviews.

Amendments

Changes to the Google Play Store and Google Store include providing clearer information about delivery costs, the right of withdrawal, and the availability of repair or replacement options. Google will also provide additional information about companies, including company names, addresses, and contact information. Google will also allow payment methods from any EU country.
In addition, Google has agreed to restrict the right to cancel orders or change prices on the Google Store without notice. And finally, Google will communicate directly with European consumer protection authorities via a dedicated email address to remove illegal content.
Google has not said when it will adjust its services or when more explicit information will become available to consumers.

Google is not yet compliant with 'geo-blocking.'

Geo-blocking is the ability to block access to apps and services offered in another country. While Google says users can change countries once a year to access local apps and services from another EU member state, the European Commission finds this insufficient. Changing location can lead to loss of content and credit. "We call on Google to fully comply with the Geo-blocking Regulation so that consumers have the same rights and see the same content wherever they are in the EU," said Reynders.