Google Fights EU Orders for Search Data Access
Alphabet Inc.'s (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google is challenging two European Union orders that would require it to give AI companies access to its services and search competitors access to its search data. The measures, part of the Digital Markets Act, are due to take effect in 2027.
The company argues that these requirements would undermine user privacy and security. It claims that sharing its search data with rivals would expose users and give them an unfair advantage.
The EU's contention is that query history is what makes Google's results good, and that a competitor given access to it would start much further along than it otherwise would. AI companies are building products that answer questions directly, making the order more significant now.
Alphabet can afford a long fight, with revenue of $445.87 billion over the past twelve months and an operating margin of 34.03%. It also holds $242.47 billion in cash.