Google from Alphabet Inc. Could propose an important overhaul of his European search results by giving greater visibility to the shopping and travel services of competitors, in a movement aimed at tuning on the Digital Markets Act (DMA) of the European Union (DMA), according to a Bloomberg report.
As part of the proposed changes, Google is planning to introduce a prominent box at the top of the search pages, with raced offers from rival price comparison websites. With this box, users can probably continue directly to third-party sites, such as Expedia or Booking.com or on individual entries that lead to hotel or aviation pages, the people said on condition of anonymity because the plans still have to be made public, reported Bloomberg.
It is important that the most relevant site, as determined by Google's ranking algorithm, can be included in the box, while a drop-down menu offers links to other platforms, including Google's own comparison tools. In an alternative version of the interface, the company would show a basic list from direct links to stores or travel providers under the most important results.
The proposed makeover is the latest attempt by Google to place EU supervisors after the European Commission had warned the technology giant in March that it was at risk of violating the DMA by violating its own services, such as Google -flights, to that of its competitors. The concern of the committee stems from long -term complaints that the company uses its market dominance to suppress competition.
Last year, Google lost a legal battle on a fine of € 2.4 billion levied by the EU for similar behavior with regard to the store services, a matter that symbolizes the more difficult position of Brussels on Digital Monopolies.
The DMA, which came into force in 2024, is intended to prevent dominant technology companies from abusing their position. It prohibits companies from giving preferential treatment to their own services and limits the merging of personal data on different platforms. Violations can lead to fines of up to 10 percent of global annual turnover, or 20 percent for repeated violations.
Google has previously tried to tackle the EU's concerns by expanding the number of visible comparison site links within the results for users in the block. However, critics claim that the company's own services still take prime positions, often for its competitors.
The proposed adjustments are amid a broader performance by Brussels at large American technology companies. Apple recently received a fine of € 500 million on alleged anti-competitive practices in its App Store, while Meta Platforms was punished € 200 million for his “permission-of-Pay” approach to advertisements on Instagram and Facebook.
The EU assertive regulatory campaign has imposed criticism from the United States. Brian Hughes, spokesperson for the National Security Council, described the fines as a 'new form of economic extortion', signaling increasing diplomatic tensions during delicate trade negotiations. Former President Donald Trump had previously threatened broad rates for US trading partners, which contributed to the tension.
(With Bloomberg entrances)
