2026-04-16 16:01
publication
2026-04-16 16:01
The European Commission on Thursday recommended that Google allow external search engines access to search data as part of its compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
According to the recommendations and proposed measures submitted to Google by the European Commission, the company would be obliged to provide external search engine providers with access, under fair conditions, to aggregate search data stored by Google Search, such as rankings, queries, clicks and impressions.
By accessing the data, external search engines will be able to optimize their search services and offer users alternatives to Google search.
In the letter sent to Google, the EC specified the principles under which external providers should obtain access to this data, including which external companies can apply for access to the data, what the scope of search data should be, the frequency and method of their transfer, how to anonymize personal data and how to set fair prices for access. To ensure the effectiveness of the proposal, the EC invited interested parties to participate in public consultations and submit comments by May 1.
After analyzing this information, the European Commission will make a decision that will be binding on the company by July 27.
This is the result of proceedings against Google initiated by the European Commission at the end of January. As Teresa Ribera, deputy head of the European Commission, assured on Thursday, meeting the requirements will allow Google to fulfill its obligations under EU regulations on digital markets. The purpose of the regulations is to ensure fair competition in the digital market, including: by regulating the operation of the so-called access gatekeepers, i.e. large digital platforms – so that they do not use their dominant position on the market to stifle the activities of smaller companies.
In 2023, the EC recognized Google Search, Google Play, Google Maps, YouTube, the Android operating system, Google Chrome and Google Shopping as basic platform services to which the company must fulfill the obligations imposed by the DMA.
From Brussels Jowita Kiwnik Pargana (PAP)
jowi/ ap/
