What Changed
- On 16 July 2026, the European Commission adopted a decision specifying Alphabet's data sharing obligations under Article 6(11) DMA.
- The decision was adopted under Article 8(2) DMA and sets out prescribed safeguards.
- The matter examines overlapping regulatory competences between the GDPR and the DMA regarding anonymisation.
### Background
On 16 July 2026, the European Commission adopted a specification decision regarding Alphabet under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The decision addresses Alphabet's legal obligations to share Google Search data pursuant to Article 6(11) of the DMA, highlighting the interaction between EU competition-style digital regulation and privacy frameworks.
### What the Rules Require
Under Article 8(2) of the DMA, the Commission possesses the competence to specify the measures that a gatekeeper must implement to comply effectively with core obligations. In this instance, the Commission specified Alphabet's duties under Article 6(11) DMA regarding the sharing of Google Search data. The decision prescribes specific safeguards concerning data protection and anonymisation. However, because the provided source text snippet is truncated mid-sentence ('and then relies on them to…'), the full technical scope and procedural mechanics of these safeguards are not fully articulated in the available text.
### Practical Implications
This decision directly affects Alphabet and businesses operating within the European Union's digital search sector. It addresses the legal overlap between the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), particularly regarding who holds competence to assess whether data anonymisation is effective and how the principle of sincere cooperation applies between regulatory authorities.
### Frequently Asked Questions
**Q1: When was the Commission's specification decision adopted?**
**A1:** The European Commission adopted the specification decision on 16 July 2026.
**Q2: Which specific provisions of the Digital Markets Act are involved?**
**A2:** The decision was adopted pursuant to Article 8(2) DMA to specify compliance with data sharing obligations under Article 6(11) DMA.
**Q3: Which company is directly targeted by this decision?**
**A3:** Alphabet, specifically regarding its Google Search data obligations.
**Q4: What legal frameworks overlap in this context?**
**A4:** The decision involves overlapping competences between the GDPR and the DMA regarding the assessment of data anonymisation.
Who May Be Affected
Alphabet, digital search providers, data protection authorities, and digital market participants in the European Union.
Cross-Border Context
Applies across the European Union under EU-level digital market and data protection regulations.
What to check next
- Consult the official text of the European Commission's specification decision of 16 July 2026 regarding Alphabet under Article 8(2) DMA.
- Read the full European Law Blog article by Paweł Hajduk to review the complete analysis of sincere cooperation and anonymisation assessments.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Consult the official text and obtain advice appropriate to your circumstances where needed.