EU Pushes Google for Data Sharing in Favor of Competition

The European Commission has proposed that Google allow third-party search engines to access its search data to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Google's senior competition counsel, Clare Kelly, objected, highlighting privacy concerns. The proposal aims to increase competition and allow others to optimize their search services.

The European Commission has put forward a proposal compelling Google to open its search data to third-party search engines, including AI-powered chatbots, in adherence to the Digital Markets Act. The move is designed to promote competition and enable other search engines to enhance their services.

Google's senior competition counsel, Clare Kelly, expressed strong opposition to the measures, emphasizing significant privacy risks. Kelly stated that the proposal might force Google to share sensitive European user data with third parties, risking compromised privacy protections.

The measures detail Google's obligations concerning the scope and anonymity of data, access processes, and pricing guidelines. Stakeholders have until May 1 to comment on the proposal, with a final decision expected in July. Google's past antitrust fines in Europe total 9.71 billion euros, with potential breaches incurring up to 10% of global annual revenue fines.

(With inputs from agencies.)