Google is proposing new changes to its search engine to avoid a fine from EU officials for alleged violations of competition rules under the Digital Markets Act.
The new proposal, called Plan B, includes creating a box for a vertical search service (VSS) with links to specialized search engines, hotels, airlines, restaurants, and transport services, along with a separate box for links to suppliers.
The proposal aims to provide opportunities to suppliers not included in the VSS box and comes ahead of a workshop on 7-8 July in Munich to discuss Google's compliance with DMA rules.
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings charging Google with violations related to alleged self-preferencing of its services in Google Search and restricting app developers from informing users of better deals outside of Google's Play Store app store.