Poland's UOKiK targets Google with fines up to 10% of annual revenue

A potential penalty reaching 10 percent of Google’s annual global revenue is now on the table after Polish authorities formally accused the tech giant of violating market rules. The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) alleges that Google abused its dominant position during negotiations with local news publishers regarding compensation for content displayed across Search, News, and Discover platforms.

Allegations of withheld data

According to UOKiK President Tomasz Chróstny, Google failed to provide necessary information required to determine fair payment rates. In a press release, Chróstny stated that existing regulations clearly outlined the data Google was obligated to share with publishers to calculate proper compensation, yet the company did not comply. The regulator asserts that this lack of transparency prevented publishers from accurately assessing the value of their articles within Google’s ecosystem.

Broader regulatory scrutiny

This action by the Polish authority follows similar moves by other European regulators. The European Commission previously launched an antitrust investigation into whether Google offered appropriate compensation for articles utilized in its AI Overview and AI Mode features. Additionally, UOKiK has targeted other major technology firms; prior to the Google case, the agency accused Apple of creating unfair competition in the personalized advertising market through its App Tracking Transparency feature.

Engadget reached out to Google for comment on the latest accusations but had not received a response at the time of publication. The story will be updated if the company provides further details.