EU launches proceedings to ensure Google complies with bloc's digital markets rules

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - The European Commission on Tuesday opened two specification proceedings to assist Google in complying with its obligations under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), focusing on interoperability for artificial intelligence services and access to online search data.

The proceedings formalize the EU Commission's regulatory dialogue with Google regarding its compliance with related articles of the DMA.

The first set of proceedings concerns Google's obligation to provide third-party developers with free and effective interoperability with hardware and software features controlled by its Android operating system.

The commission said the proceedings will focus on features used by Google's own artificial intelligence services, including Gemini, with the aim of ensuring that third-party AI service providers have equally effective access.

According to the EU Commission, the measures are intended to give third-party providers an equal opportunity to innovate and compete in the rapidly evolving AI landscape on smart mobile devices.

The second set of proceedings relates to Google's obligation to grant third-party online search engine providers access to anonymized ranking, query, click and view data held by Google Search under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms.

The bloc said the proceedings will address the scope of the data to be shared, anonymization methods, access conditions, and whether AI chatbot providers are eligible to access the data.

Effective access, it added, would allow third-party search providers to optimize their services and offer users genuine alternatives to Google Search.

The commission said it will conclude the proceedings within six months. Within three months, it will communicate its preliminary findings to Google, outlining the draft measures it intends to impose.

The DMA aims to ensure fair and contestable markets in the digital sector by regulating large digital platforms designated as "gatekeepers."

In September 2023, the EU Commission designated several Google services, including Google Search, Android, YouTube, Google Play, Chrome, and Google Maps, as core platform services under the DMA.

Google has been required to comply fully with the applicable obligations since March 2024.