Poland Investigates Google for Alleged Anticompetitive Publisher Negotiations

Poland’s competition regulator, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK), has launched an antitrust probe into Alphabet Inc.’s Google over concerns that the tech giant abused its dominant market position in negotiations with Polish news publishers. The investigation focuses on allegations that Google failed to provide publishers with sufficient information to evaluate proposed compensation for news content appearing on its platforms, including Google Search, Google News, and Discover.

UOKiK President Tomasz Chrostny stated that withholding necessary data undermined the ability of publishers to negotiate on equal terms, a violation of applicable law. The probe is centered on a 2024 amendment to Poland’s copyright law, which implements an EU directive requiring online platforms to compensate press publishers for using their protected content.

If the Polish authorities find that Google abused its dominant market position, the company could face a penalty of up to 10% of its annual turnover. UOKiK has not set a timeline for completing the investigation and will continue gathering evidence before deciding whether to file formal charges. This investigation is separate from a broader European Commission inquiry opened in December 2025 into Google’s treatment of publisher material in its AI services.

Google is also facing separate legal action in Poland. In December 2024, price-comparison service Ceneo, owned by Allegro, sued Alphabet for 2.33 billion zlotys ($568 million), alleging anticompetitive conduct. The companies named in the UOKiK proceedings include Alphabet, Google LLC, Google Ireland Limited, and Google Poland, none of which have responded to requests for comment.