The European Commission has issued preliminary findings outlining specific measures Google must adopt to satisfy its obligations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The mandate requires Google to provide third-party search engines and AI chatbots with access to ranking, query, click, and view data on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms. This action, following specification proceedings opened in January 2026, aims to dismantle the "gatekeeper" bottleneck by allowing "data beneficiaries" to optimize competing services using Google’s proprietary search signals.
The proposed framework establishes rigorous parameters for data scope, transfer frequency, and the anonymization of personal data to maintain GDPR alignment. Critically, the Commission is defining the eligibility of AI chatbots with search functionalities to receive this data, recognizing the shift in how consumers access information. The proceedings also address pricing models for data access, ensuring that costs do not function as a secondary barrier to market entry for smaller search providers.
Interested parties have until May 1, 2026, to submit feedback via a public consultation, after which the Commission may adjust the specifications. A final, binding decision is scheduled for adoption by July 27, 2026. This decision will serve as a definitive compliance roadmap for Alphabet, with the Commission retaining the authority to launch formal non-compliance proceedings should the implemented measures fail to meet the DMA’s contestability standards.
