The European Commission may soon target Google and Elon Musk’s X platform with sanctions, continuing its assertive implementation of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA is designed to simplify user transitions between competing digital platforms, such as social media networks, browsers, and app stores. Apple and Meta were the first to face penalties for failing to meet certain requirements, including the adoption of platform-dependent measures that limit business and consumer freedom.
According to three individuals close to the matter, the Commission is preparing to turn its attention toward Google and X. Despite fears of retaliatory tariffs from the United States, Brussels appears determined to uphold its digital regulatory framework. In Google’s case, the current investigation stems from a 2021 claim that the company prioritized its own advertising services.
A Landmark Case in EU Antitrust History
Should the Commission order Google to divest parts of its ad business, it would represent a historic move—the first time the EU antitrust authority has mandated such a measure. Notably, such a decision was never enforced, even in the protracted Microsoft case. Discussions around a possible business split gained traction following a recent U.S. court ruling, which found Google guilty of monopolizing two areas of online advertising: platforms and ad exchanges, notes NIX Solutions.
This ruling may also serve as a legal precedent for American antitrust bodies, including the Department of Justice (DOJ), which is now exploring a forced separation of Google’s ad operations. Zach Meyers of the Center for Regulation in Europe (CERRE) believes the ruling provides an opening for coordinated transatlantic regulatory action. If the U.S. moves forward, it could offer cover for European Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera to follow suit—yet we’ll keep you updated as more developments unfold.
However, the broader question remains: to what extent will international political tensions shape the future of EU digital regulation? U.S. President Donald Trump has openly criticized the DMA, labeling it a disguised tariff against American firms. Trump referenced the DMA in an executive order issued earlier this year, while Commissioner Ribera reaffirmed that all companies operating in the EU must abide by its laws and values.
As the pressure from Washington intensifies, the EU’s political and regulatory autonomy faces a crucial test. The final decisions in the Google and X investigations will not only signal the strength of the DMA but also highlight Europe’s resolve to enforce its own antitrust priorities on the global tech stage.