The European Commission has proposed measures that would require Google to share key search data with rival search engines and AI services as part of its ongoing case under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The move is aimed at reducing Google’s dominance and enabling competitors to improve their services.
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, was designated a “gatekeeper” in September 2023, bringing it under the DMA’s stricter rules. In January 2026, the Commission opened proceedings to define how Google must comply with its obligation to share search data. On April 16, it released preliminary findings outlining what those measures should look like.
What data Google may have to share: Under the proposal, Google would have to share a broad set of anonymised data, including user queries, clicks, rankings and what users see on search results pages. This data would be made available to eligible third parties operating search engines in the European Economic Area, including AI chatbots with search functionalities.
To ensure usability, Google may be required to provide access through tools like APIs, with data shared as frequently as it uses internally and retained for at least five years. At the same time, the Commission has proposed strict anonymisation rules. These include removing identifiers such as IP addresses, limiting sensitive or rare queries, and applying technical and contractual safeguards to prevent users from being re-identified. Companies accessing the data would face restrictions on how they use and store it, as well as audit requirements.
Pricing, access and regulatory timeline: The proposal also sets limits on pricing. Google would be allowed to charge only the incremental cost of sharing the data, along with a reasonable return, restricting its ability to impose high fees.
The Commission has also outlined a process for access, including eligibility checks, sample datasets for testing, and conditions under which access can be refused or withdrawn.
The regulator is now seeking feedback from companies and the public on whether these measures are effective and practical. Submissions are open until May 1, and a final decision is expected by July 27, 2026. The decision will be binding on Google.
Google pushes back, privacy concerns raised: The case highlights concerns that control over search data gives Google a structural advantage, particularly as search increasingly overlaps with AI services.
Google has opposed the proposal. Clare Kelly, the company’s senior competition counsel, said: “Hundreds of millions of Europeans trust Google with their most sensitive searches – including private questions about their health, family, and finances – and the Commission’s proposal would force us to hand this data over to third parties, with dangerously ineffective privacy protections.”
The Commission retains the power to separately find Google in breach of the DMA, which could lead to fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue, as per a Reuters report.
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