EU Urges Google to Share Search Data Under DMA

The European Commission announced on April 16, 2026, that it has sent preliminary findings to Google regarding proposed measures to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). According to reporting by Reuters, these measures would require Google to allow third-party search engines, including artificial intelligence chatbots with search functionalities, to access Google search data.

Interested parties have until May 1, 2026, to submit their views on the proposed measures. The European Commission expects to reach a final decision in July 2026.

Data Sharing and DMA Obligations

The current proceedings are part of a broader effort to ensure Google adheres to the DMA. On January 28, 2026, the European Commission started specification proceedings to assist Google in complying with two specific obligations.

The first obligation, under Article 6(11) of the DMA, requires Google to grant third-party providers of online search engines access to anonymized ranking, query, click, and view data. This access must be provided on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. These proceedings specifically examine the scope of the data, anonymization methods, conditions of access, and the eligibility of AI chatbot providers to access the data.

The second set of proceedings, under Article 6(7) of the DMA, focuses on Google’s obligation to provide third-party developers with free and effective interoperability with hardware and software features controlled by the Android operating system. This particular focus includes features utilized by Google’s own AI services, such as Gemini.

Legal Charges and Industry Pressure

Google was charged in March 2025 with breaching the Digital Markets Act. While the company has submitted its own proposals to satisfy EU regulators and rivals, competing firms have complained that these measures were insufficient.

This regulatory pressure coincides with a separate antitrust probe launched by the European Commission in March 2024. That investigation is examining whether Google searches favor the company’s own services.

On March 16, 2026, European publishers and tech firms urged the EU to conclude this two-year antitrust probe. These groups are calling for the imposition of fines and enforcement under the DMA related to alleged self-preferencing in online search.

Market Context for Alphabet

The ongoing regulatory actions in Europe center on the core search business of Alphabet, the parent company of Google. As of March 16, 2026, Alphabet’s stock closed at $302.28.

The company’s long-term profile in Europe remains subject to the outcomes of these antitrust and DMA enforcement actions, which may affect Alphabet’s search operations, commercial relationships with European partners, and potential financial penalties.