European publishers, tech firms urge EU to speed up fine on Google over search

European publishers, tech firms and startups have urged ​EU antitrust regulators to wrap up a near two-year probe ⁠into Alphabet unit Google’s alleged favouring of its own services in online searches and impose a fine on the tech giant.

In a letter to EU leaders, ‌the European Publishers Council, whose members include Axel Springer, News Corp and Conde Nast, the European Magazine Media Association, the European Tech ‌Alliance, EU Travel Tech and others called for the investigation ‌to ⁠be finished next week.

The push underscores tensions within the ⁠bloc over the complex balance of regulating Big Tech, with regular clashes between Washington and Brussels over rules curbing the dominance of U.S. companies in social media, online search and ​AI.

The investigation, ‌launched by the European Commission on March 25, 2024 under the European Union Digital Markets Act (DMA), has been going on for nearly two years.

EU regulators have said they aim to wrap up ‌DMA cases within 12 months. The Commission announced charges last year.

“The ​European Commission’s credibility is on the line,” the groups representing publishers, tech companies and startups said in a joint ⁠letter sent on Sunday to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera and EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen.

“It is important that ‌sustained pressure to dilute the DMA is not shown to have succeeded,” it said.

“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 receipt of the letter.

“The Commission aims to conclude this complex ‌investigation as quickly as possible,” a spokesperson said.

Google, which ​has made various proposals to mollify rivals and EU regulators since it was charged, did not respond to repeated requests ⁠for comment.

Its rivals say that the measures are insufficient. The company denies favouring ⁠its own services in online search.

The groups, which include the Initiative for Neutral Search, Innovative Europe Foundation and the German ‌Startup Association, urged the Commission, which acts as the EU competition watchdog, to adopt a formal non-compliance decision against Alphabet, including a cease-and-desist ​order, and impose a deterrent fine.