European Union: European Commission issued preliminary findings against Google over alleged non-compliance with search data sharing obligations under the Digital Markets Act

On 16 April 2026, the European Commission sent preliminary findings to Google outlining proposed measures to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), as part of the specification proceedings opened on 27 January 2026. The Commission also invited interested parties to submit views on the proposed measures until 1 May 2026. The proposed measures would require Google to allow third-party search engines, referred to as data beneficiaries, to access search data, including ranking, query, click, and view data, on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms. The proposed measures cover the eligibility of data beneficiaries to receive search data, including artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots with search functionalities, the scope of search data Google must share, the means and frequency of sharing, anonymisation of personal data, parameters for setting fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory prices, and processes governing beneficiaries' access to search data. The final decision, which will be binding on Google, must be adopted by 27 July 2026.