Google rejects EU anti-trust allegations as flawed in 'fact, law and economics'

Google has rejected a complaint by Europe's competition watchdog that the Internet giant is abusing its dominance in Web search to promote its own products.

The European Commission alleged in April that Google has improperly favored its shopping comparison service in its own search results.

Google Senior Vice-President Kent Walker said Thursday that the Commission's conclusions "are wrong as a matter of fact, law, and economics."

Google said it submitted a rebuttal of the EU executive's case of around 150 pages with economic, data and legal analysis to back up its position.

Critics contend that online consumers are unable to see compelling alternatives from other merchants who either refuse or can't afford to pay to be catapulted into a high spot in Google's shopping rankings.