This week’s Update offers two differing industry perspectives on Google’s DMA compliance efforts. We also update the status (demise) of TripAdvisor’s much criticized subscription program, TripAdvisor Plus. Enjoy.
- Perspectives on Google’s Gatekeeper Efforts. This past week (March 7) saw D-Day arrive for those platforms designated as “gatekeepers” under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). On the day before, EU Travel Tech, whose members include most major leisure and managed travel platforms, issued a letter to the European Commission criticizing Google’s changes and complaining that the changes continued to feature Google’s own products and services over those of its members. According to the industry group, Google’s efforts “fall significant short of compliance, potentially rendering the new rules ineffective.” At the same time, organizations representing hotels, airlines and restaurants issued their own statements, warning that the changes could drive users…