Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Subsidiary Google’s chief executive Sundar Pichai is expected to meet with the head of the European Union antitrust watchdog on Friday.
The meeting between the two leaders has been organized following Google’s rejection of a series of charges brought against it by the regulator. The charges include claims that the company has been carrying out anti-competitive practices by blocking its competition in the shopping search business. The meeting between the two executives will be held in Brussels.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai is expected to hold talks with Margrethe Vestager, the commissioner for EU competition. Google representatives also revealed that Pichai’s trip will also allow him to meet with Guenther Oettinger, the commissioner for society and digital economy. Last week, the company disputed allegations that it has been using its dominant market position with its Android operating system to favor its own apps and search engine. The firm argued that contrary to the allegations, it has been assisting the competition.
Just a week ago, Google’s General Counsel Kent Walker defended the company and denied the charges that the firm has been using its dominant position to beat its competition. The company also disputed the charges brought against it purporting that the firm has also been using its dominant position to promote its shopping service. It has also been accused of blocking its competitors from online search advertising.
“Distributing products like Google Search together with Google Play permit us to offer our entire suite for free – as opposed to, for example, charging upfront licensing fees,” stated Walker a few weeks ago.
The EU regulators are expected to make a ruling about Google on the anticompetitive accusations in 2017. If the company will be found to be on the wrong side, then it might be ordered to change its practices. A fine might also be imposed on the company.
“The Android ecosystem carefully balances the interests of users, developers, hardware makers and mobile network operators,” Walker added.
Alphabet stock closed the latest trading session at $779.98.
