CMA Orders Google to Boost Search Transparency and Data Portability

On June 17, 2026, Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority imposed two conduct requirements on Google’s UK search services. The rules mandate objective ranking criteria, greater transparency around AI overviews, clearer complaint processes, and user data portability to approved third parties. Building on Google’s prior strategic market status designation, the CMA gave the company six months to implement fair-ranking changes and three months for data portability. The measures target Google’s >90% UK search dominance but stop short of immediate fines, adding compliance costs and ongoing antitrust pressure on Alphabet.