Polish regulator suspects Google abused dominance in publisher payment talks

• UOKiK alleges Google created an information imbalance by withholding data publishers needed to properly assess payment offers, making negotiations 'illusory' and allowing Google to impose terms
• The dispute stems from a 2024 Polish law implementing an EU directive requiring online services to compensate press publishers for using their content
• Google faces a potential fine of up to 10% of its turnover if found guilty; this investigation is separate from a December 2025 EU probe into Google's use of publishers' content in AI services

Summary: Polish Regulator Suspects Google of Antitrust Violations in Publisher Payment Negotiations

Poland's antitrust authority, UOKiK, announced Monday it suspects Google of abusing its dominant market position during negotiations over content payments with domestic media publishers. The charges target Alphabet Inc., Google LLC, Google Ireland Limited, and Google Poland.

Key Allegations:

UOKiK alleges Google failed to provide publishers with necessary data to properly evaluate payment offers for displaying articles and snippets across Google Search, Google News, and Discover services. This information asymmetry reportedly prevented fair negotiations, with UOKiK President Tomasz Chrostny stating negotiations became "illusory" with Google effectively imposing terms rather than negotiating.

Legal Context:

The dispute stems from a 2024 Polish copyright law amendment implementing an EU directive requiring online platforms to compensate press publishers for content usage. Google faces potential fines up to 10% of its turnover for dominant position abuse.

Related Investigations:

This Polish probe is separate from but related to a European Commission investigation launched in December 2025 examining whether Google used publishers' content in AI services without adequate compensation or opt-out options. UOKiK confirmed its investigation is being conducted independently following coordination with the Commission.

Market Implications:

This case adds to mounting regulatory pressure on big tech companies in Europe regarding content compensation and market dominance. The precedent could impact how digital platforms negotiate with content creators across the EU. Poland has shown increasing willingness to challenge tech giants—e-commerce group Allegro's Ceneo platform previously sued Alphabet for 2.33 billion zlotys ($568 million) in December 2024 for alleged anti-competitive behavior.