Google has announced significant changes to its search results and tools for app developers in response to impending European Union (EU) tech regulations. With the Digital Markets Act (DMA) set to take effect on March 7, tech giants like Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and TikTok’s ByteDance are required to comply with new rules aimed at curbing their dominance.
In compliance with the DMA, Google has introduced alterations to its search results, which will prioritize traffic for large intermediaries and aggregators while potentially reducing visibility for hotels, airlines, merchants, and restaurants. Additionally, users in Europe will now be prompted to provide consent for Google to share their data across its various products and services.
For app developers, Google is implementing changes that allow the use of alternative billing systems, rather than being restricted to Google Play’s billing system.
Moreover, a new program enables developers to directly lead European users from their apps to promote their products outside of the app environment.
Furthermore, Google will be launching data portability software in Europe, facilitating the transfer of user data to third-party apps or services. These updates come after Google initially announced some changes exclusively for European users in January, with subsequent adjustments made based on feedback from EU antitrust regulators, users, and developers.
These developments underscore Google’s efforts to adapt to the evolving regulatory landscape while addressing concerns related to competition and consumer data privacy. As tech regulations continue to evolve globally, such initiatives are likely to shape the future of digital markets and the broader tech industry.
