EU Regulator Finds Google in Violation of Digital Markets Act
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings that Google’s parent company, Alphabet, is not in compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), particularly regarding practices in Google Search.
Alphabet was designated a gatekeeper under the DMA in July 2023. According to the Commission, Google Search continues to favor Alphabet’s own services—such as shopping, hotel bookings, and transport results—over competing offerings, despite recent changes intended to meet regulatory requirements.
The DMA mandates that gatekeeper platforms present results in a transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory manner. However, the Commission’s investigation, which included feedback from third parties, concluded that Google still self-preferences its own services. The company allegedly gives them prime positioning, enhanced visuals, and filtering tools unavailable to competitors.
In response, Google stated in a blog post that further changes to comply with the DMA could harm European users and businesses by reducing product quality, hindering innovation, and weakening online security.
EU Travel Tech, a coalition representing online travel agencies and tech companies, welcomed the Commission’s findings. The organization called it a “crucial step toward fair competition,” criticizing Alphabet for using compliance discussions as a delaying tactic.
“This is a turning point for the DMA,” said Emmanuel Mounier, secretary general of EU Travel Tech. “Ending self-preferencing would benefit all digital businesses, including U.S. firms, and provide real choice for European consumers.”
Meanwhile, Booking Holdings, designated as a gatekeeper in May 2024, has submitted its compliance report to the Commission, which is currently under review.
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