EU Prepares to Announce Decision on Google’s Compliance with Digital Markets Act

The European Union's leading antitrust authority has indicated that a ruling on whether Google is breaching the Digital Markets Act is approaching, though no specific timeline has been provided. Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera mentioned to Dow Jones Newswires that the commission is dedicated to making decisions grounded in evidence and fairness, acknowledging the intricate nature of the cases involved. The investigation into Google's search operations began in March 2024, with the commission initially aiming to conclude within a year. However, nearly two years later, the case remains unresolved, while other tech giants like Meta and Apple have faced penalties. Recently, 18 advocacy and civil society organizations urged Ribera to impose significant penalties on Google, stressing that the company's dominance in the EU search market—over 90%—is detrimental to European businesses. They argued that each day without a decision further disadvantages these businesses. A ruling against Google could lead to substantial changes in its search operations in Europe, impacting advertising practices and competition. Ribera is currently in California meeting with tech leaders before heading to Washington, D.C. The EU's actions against Google could set a critical precedent for the enforcement of the Digital Markets Act.