DuckDuckGo Calls for Fresh EU Probes into Google's Tech Rule Compliance

Privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo has urged the European Union to investigate Google's compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA), alleging that the tech giant has not fully addressed its concerns about Google's dominance. DuckDuckGo believes that Google's practices, such as self-preferencing and data collection, continue to harm competition and user privacy, and it has proposed several measures to address these issues.



The DMA, which took effect in May 2023, aims to prevent large tech companies from abusing their dominant positions. It requires Google to allow users to easily switch default search engines and to provide more information behind content moderation decisions. DuckDuckGo argues that Google has not fully complied with these regulations, and it has called on the EU to investigate the company's practices.

If Google is found to have violated the DMA or other regulations, it could face substantial fines, potentially up to 10% of its annual global turnover (€18.4 billion in 2021). This could impact Google's financial performance and market share, opening opportunities for competitors like DuckDuckGo, Bing, and others to gain market share. Moreover, any regulatory pressure on Google could lead to changes in its business practices, affecting its competitive advantage and potentially benefiting rivals.

Google has faced significant fines in the past for violating EU antitrust rules. In 2017, the European Commission fined Google €2.42 billion for abusing its dominant position in the online search market by favoring its own comparison-shopping service in search results. In 2018, Google was fined €4.24 billion for abusing Android to cement its search dominance. These fines highlight the EU's commitment to enforcing competition laws and protecting consumers from anti-competitive practices.

DuckDuckGo's allegations of Google's non-compliance with EU tech rules could erode consumer trust. If Google fails to comply with new rules like the DMA and DSA, consumers may lose faith in Google's commitment to fair competition and user choice. This could lead to a decline in market share, with users opting for alternative search engines like DuckDuckGo, which promotes privacy and transparency.

In conclusion, DuckDuckGo's call for fresh EU probes into Google's compliance with tech rules highlights the ongoing concerns about Google's dominance in the search market and its impact on competition and user privacy. If Google is found to have violated the DMA or other regulations, it could face significant fines and changes in its business practices, potentially benefiting competitors and promoting a more level playing field. As the EU continues to enforce competition laws, investors should monitor the situation closely and consider the potential implications for Google and its rivals.