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Google is set to be charged with breaching European Union (EU) regulations designed to curb the dominance of Big Tech after failing to adequately address antitrust concerns raised by regulators and competitors, sources familiar with the matter have revealed.
The European Commission’s move intensifies scrutiny over Google’s business practices, particularly regarding its search engine’s alleged favouritism of its own services, such as Google Shopping, Google Flights, and Google Hotels, over third-party rivals.
Since March 2024, the Commission has been investigating Google under the Digital Markets Act (DMA)—a landmark regulation aimed at preventing anti-competitive practices by tech giants. The imminent charges will focus on whether Google unfairly prioritises its own vertical search engines and suppresses competition in search results.
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Despite Google’s recent efforts to modify its search result formats, both the EU regulator and rival businesses argue that these changes do not meet DMA compliance standards. The tech giant’s warning that it may revert to simple blue links in search results if it cannot accommodate rival demands has also drawn criticism from regulators.
Under the DMA, Google faces fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue if found guilty of non-compliance. The impending charges are expected to be issued in the coming months, following EU decisions on similar investigations into Apple and Meta Platforms, which are at more advanced stages.
Additionally, a separate DMA probe is examining whether Google restricts app developers from informing users about external offers outside the Google Play Store, potentially limiting competition in digital marketplaces.
While the European Commission has declined to comment on the charges, Google has referenced a December blog post by its EMEA competition director, Oliver Bethell, stating that the company is working with regulators to find a “balanced solution.” However, Google has also expressed concerns that excessive changes to search result formats could compromise user experience.
With the EU tightening its regulatory grip on tech giants, Google’s case is poised to set a precedent for how Big Tech operates within the bloc. The outcome of this battle could reshape digital competition rules across the industry.
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