BRUSSELS (TechGenez) – The EU Parliament said on Wednesday it will replace Google with French provider Qwant as its default search engine, in a symbolic step to reduce dependence on American technology giants.
The change will take effect on June 4, 2026, and will automatically apply to Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox browsers used within the institution. Users will still be able to manually select other search engines.
The move is part of the European Union’s effort to promote homegrown digital services and strengthen technological independence.
Details of the Change
A Parliament spokesperson confirmed the decision, saying it is part of a broader framework supporting European-based, privacy-focused services.
The European Parliament, comprising 720 lawmakers and thousands of assistants and administrative staff, manages significant volumes of sensitive data and communications each day.
Euractiv first reported the planned change. The Parliament said the decision supports its commitment to digital sovereignty and data protection standards.
Broader EU Strategy
The announcement comes as the European Commission plans to release new measures later on Wednesday on chips, cloud computing services, and artificial intelligence under its “Buy and Use European” initiative.
These actions reflect increasing concerns in Brussels about dependence on U.S.-based technology providers for critical digital infrastructure. European officials have highlighted risks related to data privacy, foreign surveillance laws, and strategic autonomy in the digital sector.
Qwant, founded in France, markets itself as a privacy-respecting search engine that does not track users or personalize results based on surveillance. The company has positioned itself as a European alternative to dominant players in public procurement and digital policy.
Analysts see the move as part of a broader pattern that includes the Digital Markets Act, Digital Services Act, and the AI Act, all designed to level the playing field for European companies and protect citizens’ data rights.
Promoting Qwant may increase its visibility and credibility, potentially encouraging other EU institutions or member states to adopt similar measures.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the political momentum, implementing such changes across large organizations presents technical and cultural challenges. Staff members accustomed to Google’s ecosystem may need time to adapt, and Qwant will need to demonstrate comparable performance and reliability at scale.
Questions remain about the long-term viability and innovation capacity of European alternatives compared with well-resourced U.S. competitors.
Outlook
The European Commission’s upcoming announcements on chips, cloud, and AI are expected to clarify how the bloc plans to build a more self-sufficient digital future. If successful, the Parliament’s switch to Qwant could serve as a test case for broader adoption of European digital tools in public institutions.
This development occurs amid ongoing transatlantic tensions over technology regulation, data flows, and market access, making digital sovereignty a central theme in EU policy.
Conclusion
The European Parliament’s decision to adopt Qwant as its default search engine is a concrete step toward greater technological autonomy. As Europe advances its “Buy and Use European” agenda, such measures may become more common.
