The European Union is poised to launch a new antitrust offensive against Google, targeting the tech giant's dominance in search services, according to sources familiar with the matter. This move could result in substantial fines and force significant changes to 's business model.
EU regulators are reportedly drafting a formal charge sheet under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), focusing on how Google displays rival product results across its specialised search services, such as Google Flights and Google Hotels.
Bloomberg reports that the preliminary findings could be issued before the end of October, though the timing may shift due to leadership changes at the European Commission.
If Google fails to address the EU's concerns, and the company has until March 2025, else it could face penalties of up to 10% of its global annual revenue.
The company met with EU officials this week in an attempt to mitigate regulatory worries, proposing a new design for its search tabs that would give users easier access to alternative search platforms and direct suppliers.
This latest action follows a string of antitrust battles between the EU and Google. Last week, the company lost its appeal against a €2.4 billion fine related to its shopping comparison service. However, it successfully overturned a €1.5 billion fine concerning online advertising practices earlier this week.
Google is not alone in facing DMA complaints, with Apple and Meta also under scrutiny. The EU's aggressive stance reflects growing global efforts to regulate big tech companies and ensure fair competition in digital markets.
As the March 2025 deadline for a final decision approaches, the tech industry and regulators alike will be closely watching the outcome of this latest confrontation between the EU and one of the world's most influential technology companies.
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