FILE IMAGE: The Google logo displayed outside a research center in Mountain View, California.
Google is raising red flags over the European Union’s latest tech regulations, warning that instead of reining in Big Tech, the new rules might actually be doing more harm than good for European users and small businesses.
The tech giant, owned by Alphabet, plans to deliver this message directly to EU regulators and critics during a special workshop hosted by the European Commission. The company says the Digital Markets Act (DMA) — a sweeping set of laws designed to limit the power of dominant tech firms — is already having a negative impact.
Google argues that the changes it's made to comply with the law are causing real-life disruptions. According to a copy of a speech seen by Reuters, Google's legal counsel, Clare Kelly, plans to highlight how some users in Europe now face higher prices when booking travel because they’re unable to access airline sites directly through Google Search.
She will also note that hotels, airlines, and restaurants across Europe are reportedly losing up to 30% of their direct bookings due to the rule changes, while users are dealing with clunky interfaces and extra steps to complete simple tasks.
“Real-world consequences of the DMA are leading to worse online products and experiences for Europeans,” Kelly is expected to say during the workshop.
The EU recently charged Google with favouring its own services — such as Google Shopping, Flights, and Hotels — over rival platforms. If the European Commission decides the company broke the rules, Google could face fines of up to 10% of its worldwide revenue.
In response, Google has proposed adjustments to its search results to better highlight competitors. But critics argue the changes aren’t enough to create fair competition.
Google’s other lawyer, Oliver Bethell, will also speak at the workshop and is expected to ask for clearer instructions from regulators on what exactly is required. Bethell wants regulators to move beyond broad guidelines and offer more specific, real-world examples of what compliant behaviour looks like.
“If we can understand precisely what compliance looks like — not just in theory but in practical terms — we can roll out compliant services faster and with more confidence,” Bethell will say.
He will also challenge critics to provide hard data showing how the DMA is benefiting or harming the market, rather than relying on general claims.
The workshop, set to begin at 0700 GMT, aims to create a space for open dialogue between Google, EU authorities, and critics. It’s part of the EU’s wider effort to ensure tech firms play fair while also encouraging innovation — a balance that seems increasingly difficult to achieve.
