European regulators are intensifying pressure on Google to open its search engine data to competitors as part of ongoing efforts to enforce the Digital Markets Act. The European Commission has formally proposed that Google provide rival search services access to critical data points including ranking information, query logs, click data, and view metrics on terms that are fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory.
The move represents a significant escalation in the Commission's multi-year campaign to curtail Google's dominant market position. Teresa Ribiera, the Commission's executive vice-president for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, emphasized that data access is fundamental to fostering competition in the search sector and enabling innovation in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. "Access to this data should not be restricted in ways that could harm competition," Ribiera stated, underscoring the regulator's determination to prevent market foreclosure.
Google has faced mounting regulatory scrutiny since the Digital Markets Act took effect in March 2024. While the company committed to compliance measures initially, the Commission issued preliminary charges in 2024 alleging that both Google Search and the Play Store failed to meet competition obligations. In response, Google proposed modifications to how search results are displayed, though regulators view these adjustments as insufficient.
The proposed requirements now enter a public comment period extending through May 1, during which interested parties can submit feedback on the measures. Google's legal team is expected to mount substantial opposition to the demands, arguing that forced data sharing could compromise proprietary algorithms and competitive advantages.
The outcome remains uncertain as the Commission weighs stakeholder input before finalizing any enforcement actions. Should these measures be implemented, they could fundamentally reshape how search competitors operate in Europe and set a precedent for data access requirements across other tech platforms. For Google, the stakes are considerable as it navigates an increasingly aggressive regulatory environment determined to restore competitive balance in digital markets.