European Parliament Drops Google for French Search Engine

The European Parliament has decided to replace Google's search service with a solution from French company Qwant, citing privacy concerns. The decision aligns with the EU's broader ambition to reduce dependence on American tech companies. The move is part of a larger European digital sovereignty strategy.

The European Parliament has decided to stop using Google's search engine and switch to the service provided by French company Qwant, according to EU sources. The main reason for the decision is privacy concerns and a desire to increase European digital independence from major technology companies in the United States.

Privacy and Digital Sovereignty

Qwant is a search engine founded in France that has marketed itself as a privacy-respecting alternative to Google. The European Parliament's decision to use this service is a significant step that reflects broader tensions between the EU and major American technology companies over how European users' data is handled.

The decision comes at a time when EU officials have already been working for some time on a strategy aimed at reducing Europe's dependence on digital services and infrastructure of American origin. The transition from Google to Qwant is seen as one step toward this larger objective.

Broader EU Digital Policy Direction

In recent years, the European Union has increasingly regulated major technology companies and required stricter compliance with data protection requirements. The European Parliament's decision to prefer a European-origin solution sends a signal that institutions want to base their everyday tool choices on European values and privacy standards.