Online travel portal Trivago, known for offering the lowest hotel room rates, has been reportedly fined $44.7 million for misleading consumers about the hotel rates. These misleading claims were featured in advertising as well as on Trivago's website over 400,000 times between late 2013 and mid-2018. Justice Moshinsky added that even though the penalty is higher than the profit Trivago made from its conduct, a $44.7 million fine is necessary for general and specific deterrence. Trivago’s lawyers had earlier argued that a $15 million fine would be a sufficient penalty, while on the other hand, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) expected a 90 million fine. A company spokesman stated that the travel company changed its website after the court’s initial judgment.

Source: The Guardian April 23, 2022 05:00 UTC