Poland Launches Antitrust Probe Into Google Over Publisher Payments

The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) announced on October 5, 2026, that it is investigating Alphabet's Google for allegedly abusing its dominant market position. The Polish antitrust watchdog claims Google created an information imbalance by withholding data that domestic media publishers needed to evaluate payment offers for content appearing in Google Search, Google News, and Discover services.

This investigation stems from a 2024 amendment to Polish copyright law, which followed an EU directive requiring remuneration for press content. UOKiK President Tomasz Chrostny stated that the lack of transparency rendered negotiations "illusory," effectively allowing Google to dictate its own terms to publishers.

If found guilty, Alphabet Inc., Google LLC, Google Ireland Limited, and Google Poland could face fines reaching 10% of their turnover. This probe is distinct from a separate European Commission investigation launched in December 2025 regarding Google's use of publisher content for artificial intelligence services.