EU Commission proposes data access measures for Google under Digital Markets Act
Market access improves as Google becomes central to EU search data sharing rules.
The European Commission has issued preliminary findings proposing new measures for Google under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), focusing on access to search engine data.
The proposal addresses how data held by large digital platforms can affect competition, particularly in markets where a small number of companies play a dominant role.
According to the Commission, the measures would require Google to provide access to specific types of search-related data. These include information on search rankings, user queries, clicks, and views. The aim is to allow other services to develop and compete more effectively.
Access would be granted on terms described as fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory. Potential recipients include competing search engines and services that use AI to provide search-related functions.
The proposal also outlines how such data should be shared. This includes conditions related to how often the data is updated, how it can be accessed technically, and how pricing should be determined.
At the same time, the framework includes safeguards to protect user privacy, such as requirements for anonymisation of data before it is shared.
The Commission has opened a public consultation to gather feedback from stakeholders on the proposed measures, as part of its process for implementing the DMA.
