EU to Charge Google with Breach of Big Tech Rules

Alphabet's Google is expected to be charged with violating the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), Reuters reports.

The European Commission's move comes as the EU navigates tensions with the US over tech regulation, with US President Donald Trump backing American tech companies lobbying against EU regulations and criticizing fines as a form of tariff. This has raised concerns that the EU might ease up on Big Tech.

The Commission has been investigating Google since March 2024 for potential breaches of the DMA.

One probe focuses on whether Google favors its own vertical search engines, such as Google Shopping, Google Flights, and Google Hotels, over rivals.

The investigation also examines whether Google discriminates against third-party services in its search results.

The imminent charges, according to Reuters, relate to this issue.

The EU competition watchdog declined to comment, while Google referred to a December blog post by Oliver Bethell, its director of EMEA competition, who stated the company is working to find a balanced solution with the Commission.

Bethell also noted that further changes to Google's search result format to appease rivals could lead to the removal of helpful features.

Google has recently announced several changes to its search result formats in an attempt to address concerns from price-comparison sites, hotels, airlines, and small retailers.

However, the majority of these proposals have been deemed non-compliant with the DMA by the affected parties.

EU antitrust regulators are also reportedly unhappy with Google's threat to bring back blue links in search results if it cannot resolve rivals' demands.

The DMA prohibits Google from favoring its own products and services on its platforms, with fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue for violations.

The charges against Google are likely to be issued following decisions in coming months on separate investigations into Apple and Meta Platforms, which are reportedly more advanced.

The EU is also investigating whether Google restricts app developers from informing users about offers outside the Google App Store free of charge.