The European Commission has proposed new measures that could force Google to share key search engine data with rival platforms under the Digital Markets Act, or DMA.
The move is part of the EU’s wider push to reduce the market power of major technology companies and create fairer competition in the digital sector.
In a press release published on April 1616, 20262026, the Commission said Google may be required to give third-party search engines access to important search data.
This could include ranking data, search queries, click information, and view data. According to the EU, the data must be shared on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms.
The proposal is designed to help smaller search providers improve their services and better compete with Google Search, which remains the dominant search platform in Europe and globally.
The Commission said the measures may also apply to AI chatbots that include search features, showing how the DMA is increasingly being used to address new forms of digital competition.
The proposed framework covers several technical and legal areas. These include who qualifies to receive the data, which categories of search data must be shared, how often Google must provide the information, and which technical methods should be used for delivery.
The Commission also said personal data must be anonymized before any sharing takes place, a key requirement from both a privacy and cybersecurity standpoint.
Another major part of the proposal focuses on pricing. The EU wants Google to set prices for access to search data using fair and transparent rules.
It also wants clear processes for how outside companies can request and gain access. This is important because data access systems can be used to slow down or limit rivals if the rules are vague or difficult to navigate.
From a cybersecurity and data governance perspective, the case is significant. Search data can reveal user behavior, content visibility trends, and patterns of platform decision-making.
Even when anonymized, such data must be handled carefully to prevent misuse, re-identification risks, or exposure through insecure sharing systems.
This means any final DMA decision could have a broader impact on privacy controls, secure data transfers, and accountability for large online platforms.
The Commission has opened a public consultation and invited feedback from interested parties until May 11, 20262026.
After reviewing responses, including comments from Google, the EU may revise the measures before issuing a final binding decision. That decision must be adopted by July 2727, 20262026.
The case forms part of specification proceedings opened in January 20262026. While these steps do not yet amount to a formal non-compliance ruling, they show the EU is moving deeper into enforcement of the DMA.
For Google, the outcome could reshape how its search ecosystem operates in Europe. For rivals, it may offer a rare chance to gain access to data that has long remained locked inside one of the world’s most powerful platforms.
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