The European Commission claims that Google’s parent company has violated the Digital Markets Law. The special claim is that Google prefers itself in the search and game store.
DMA applies to the “guard” organizations with a major economic impact in the EU (at least 7.5 billion € annually in the EU for the last three financial years) and has more than 45 million active users per month in the EU or 10,000 active operating users annually for at least three mansions.
See: Defending Groups Criticizing the European Commission for Apple’s weak regulation, Google
Under review for Google Search and Game Store Applications
The European Commission has published preliminary findings on how to prevent alphabet and competition. Concerns are related to two topics: self -sweating in Google Search and “Routing Rules” on Google Play; These issues were discussed as part of the incompatibility investigation in March 2024.
DMA prohibits self -choice when a dominant platform supports its products or services on the products of competitors. The Commission believes that the way the alphabet offers Google search results can lead customers to Google services such as shopping, flights or hotels.
Secondly, the Commission argues that Google’s mobile application market, Play Store’s application developers, prevents consumers from directing consumers to alternative purchasing channels such as their websites or third -party application stores. This limits Google’s ability to offer better opportunities other than the platform.
Google made a series of changes to comply with DMA last year, for example Temporary removal of some search widgets And refusing the order of the search results, but the commission determined that these steps were inadequate.
What are the possible consequences of the EU’s decision?
Attention These findings There is the opportunity to respond in writing in the front and alphabet; However, if they are approved, the Commission will now accept a mismatch decision that may lead to fines or other penalties, as they do with Apple.
Fines of non -compliance with DMA may be up to 10% of the company’s total turnover around the world and rises to 20% in case of repeated violations.
In a blog post, Google’s Senior Director Oliver Bethell He said that the amendments of the Commission will “harm European enterprises and consumers, prevent innovation, weaken security and reduce product quality”.
