12:33 PM EDT, 03/22/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Booking.com (BKNG) is the subject of an antitrust probe by the Italian Competition Authority alleging it reduced "the freedom of Italian hotels" to set prices for rooms through online sales channels, the regulator said Friday

The investigation is expected to examine whether Booking.com's subsidiary in Italy is taking advantage of its dominant market position with its Preferred Partner Programme by providing member hotels information to outbid non-members on price and other amenities, the regulator said in a statement.

Booking.com shares were fractionally lower in midday trading.

Price: 3627.04, Change: -20.78, Percent Change: -0.57