EU Publishers Demand Google Antitrust Probe Finish

European publishers and tech companies have implored EU antitrust regulators to finalize an investigation into Alphabet's Google. The probe, initiated on March 25, 2024, under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), scrutinizes allegations that Google favors its own services in online search results. This investigation has been ongoing for nearly two years, exceeding the Commission's typical 12-month target for DMA cases.

In a joint letter sent on Sunday, these groups urged the Commission to issue a formal non-compliance decision against Alphabet. They are calling for a deterrent fine and a cease-and-desist order, emphasizing that the EU's credibility is at stake and that sustained pressure should not dilute the DMA's effectiveness. They assert that each passing day of Google's alleged conduct erodes the profitability of European companies, impeding their growth and investment capabilities.