European publishers, technology firms and startup organizations have called on European Union antitrust regulators to conclude a nearly two-year investigation into Alphabet’s Google and issue a penalty if violations are confirmed.
In a letter addressed to top EU officials, several industry associations asked the European Commission to finalize its probe next week, according to Reuters. The signatories included the European Publishers Council, whose members include Axel Springer, News Corp and Condé Nast, along with the European Magazine Media Association, the European Tech Alliance and EU Travel Tech.
The request highlights ongoing friction within the European Union over how aggressively the bloc should regulate large technology companies. The debate has often drawn attention internationally, with recurring disagreements between policymakers in Washington and Brussels over rules targeting the influence of major U.S. firms in sectors such as social media, online search and artificial intelligence, according to Reuters.
The investigation into Google was launched on March 25, 2024 under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). EU regulators previously indicated they intended to complete cases under the DMA within roughly a year, though the probe has continued longer than that timeframe, per Reuters.
In their letter sent Sunday to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera and EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen, the groups warned that the bloc’s regulatory authority could be undermined if the investigation drags on.
“The European Commission’s credibility is on the line,” the organizations wrote. “It is important that sustained pressure to dilute the DMA is not shown to have succeeded.”
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They added that delays could further damage European companies competing in the digital market.
“Every passing day further erodes the profitability of European companies, hampering their ability to invest and grow, with many already facing financial distress or even bankruptcy under the weight of Alphabet’s conduct.”
The European Commission confirmed that it had received the letter. A spokesperson said the regulator intends to complete the inquiry as quickly as possible, according to Reuters.
“The Commission aims to conclude this complex investigation as quickly as possible,” the spokesperson said.
Google has proposed several measures intended to address concerns raised by rivals and regulators since formal charges were announced last year, according to Reuters. However, competing companies argue that the proposed changes do not go far enough. Google has denied allegations that it gives preferential treatment to its own services in search results and did not respond to repeated requests for comment, per Reuters.
The coalition behind the letter — which also includes the Initiative for Neutral Search, the Innovative Europe Foundation and the German Startup Association — urged the Commission to adopt a formal non-compliance decision against Alphabet. They also called for a cease-and-desist order and a financial penalty designed to deter future violations, according to Reuters.
Source: Reuters
