Eu says Google should allow third-party search engines access to data

Thursday 16 April 2026 - 12:00

The European Commission has issued preliminary findings indicating that Google should allow third-party search engines to access certain search data as part of its compliance with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The proposal is part of broader EU efforts to increase competition in the digital sector and reduce the dominance of major technology platforms. According to the Commission, the suggested measures would also extend to data generated by artificial intelligence chatbots that include search functions.

Stakeholders have been invited to provide feedback on the proposed changes until May 1, with a final decision expected in July.

Google, owned by Alphabet Inc., was formally charged in 2025 with breaching the DMA. Since then, the company has submitted its own proposals aimed at addressing regulatory concerns. However, several competitors have argued that the suggested changes do not go far enough to ensure fair competition.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between European regulators and major U.S. technology firms over data access, transparency, and market power in the digital economy.