EU proposes third-party access to Google data

The European Commission proposed that Google allow third-party search engines access to its search data to comply with the Digital Markets Act.Google’s senior competition counsel, Clare Kelly, stated the company would challenge the measures, citing concerns over user privacy.

EU mandates access

Kelly expressed that the proposal could compromise users’ trust, particularly regarding sensitive searches.

The EU’s measures outline how often Google must share data and require personal information to be anonymised.

The aim is to allow third-party online search engines to enhance their services and compete with Google.

Interested parties have until May 1 to provide feedback, with a final decision expected in July.

Google has faced scrutiny previously, with a March 2025 charge for breaching the Digital Markets Act.

The company has made proposals to appease both competitors and EU regulators, though rivals deem them inadequate.

Since 2017, Google has incurred €9.71 billion ($11.43 billion) in fines for various antitrust violations in Europe.

Fines for breaching the Digital Markets Act can reach up to 10% of a company’s global annual revenue.

Google’s legal challenges

The ongoing regulatory scrutiny reflects the broader concerns over competition in the digital marketplace.

Developments in this area will be crucial in determining the future landscape of online search.