European Parliament Ditches Google for French Search Engine Qwant

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - For decades, Google has been the benchmark for search. However, the development of AI is beginning to erode that dominance, meaning the American technology is also being abandoned. AI has spawned numerous new search engines. Meanwhile, the European Union is also attempting to eradicate monopolistic practices through the DSA and DMA regulations, which squeeze Google’s position. These two regulations represent the region’s effort to foster a healthier competitive climate, with the hope that users will ultimately receive the best services. The latest move by the European Union is also causing Google to be increasingly left behind. The European Parliament decided to replace Google as the default search engine starting 4 June 2026. The authority is replacing it with a local search engine, Qwant, from France. All computers within the European Parliament environment will use this platform. ‘Starting 4 June 2026, Qwant will replace Google as the default search engine on European Parliament computers. This is in line with Parliament’s commitment to digital sovereignty and personal data protection,’ officials told members of parliament in an email seen by Politico. The email also described Qwant as a European search engine focused on privacy. The platform, founded in 2013, is designed to avoid tracking users or collecting personal data. With this switch, the address bar on Firefox and Edge browsers will be automatically redirected through Qwant. Members of parliament will still retain the freedom to use competing search engines or change their individual default settings. This new effort follows pressure from parliamentarians to reduce the EU institutions’ dependence on US technology. A cross-party group of 38 members also wrote to Parliament President Roberta Metsola last November, urging the institution to gradually phase out Microsoft software and other foreign-made technology. The members argued that reliance on US tech giants opens up strategic vulnerabilities. Both Google and Qwant did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter.