Overview
- The European Commission accuses Google of favoring its own vertical services in search, a practice that could violate the Digital Markets Act, and its investigation remains open.
- According to Reuters, Alphabet is preparing to test results that display high‑ranking third‑party vertical providers alongside Google’s own services, starting with accommodation queries.
- The reported approach would also extend later to flights, restaurants, and transport, with partner results placed above or below curated lists that draw on real‑time data feeds.
- DMA breaches can trigger fines of up to 10% of a company’s global revenue, and Google has already faced €9.71 billion in EU antitrust penalties since 2017.
- The plans have not been officially confirmed by Google, and separate U.S. guidance urging diplomats to oppose data‑localization rules highlights broader transatlantic friction over digital regulation.