Spain: Announced CNMC Investigation into Google over possible anticompetitive practices

On 28 March 2023, the Competition Authority (CNMC) announced an investigation into Google LLC, Google Ireland Ltd., Google Spain, S.L (Google) and its parent company Alphabet, Inc., for alleged anticompetitive practices. The investigation concerns the possible abuse of the dominant position in the market of press publications. The CNMC aims to determine whether Google has created unjust economic dependence and whether the commercial conditions set by Google on publishers and news agencies regarding their content are fair. The agency is investigating potential violations of Article 129(3) of Royal Legislative Decree 12 April 1996, Articles 2 and 3 of the Law on Defense of Competition and Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.