EU Parliament Sets Qwant as Default Search Engine, Replacing Google

Summary: This change reflects Europe’s effort to support local companies and reduce dependence on U.S. tech giants like Google, emphasizing a move towards greater digital independence and promoting European innovation in the online search market.

The European Parliament has made a big change. They will no longer use Google as the default search engine on their computers. Instead, they will now use a European search engine called Qwant.

This change started on June 4, 2026. When employees search for something using Firefox or Microsoft Edge browsers, their search will automatically go to Qwant. Qwant is from France and says it does not track users or store personal data like some other search engines do.

Even though the default has changed, people can still use Google if they want. They can also change the search engine settings in their browser. So, Google is still available for use.

This decision is important for a few reasons. First, it shows that the European Parliament wants to support European companies. Second, it sends a message that Europe is trying to be less dependent on U.S. technology firms like Google.

Right now, Google is very popular in Europe. In April 2026, Google had about 87.5% of the search market in Europe. The second most used search engine was Bing, with only about 5.6%.

Many see this change as symbolic. It is a way for the European Parliament to show that they want to promote European options and reduce reliance on American technology companies.

In summary, the European Parliament is switching from Google to Qwant as the default search engine on its computers. This move supports European companies and sends an important political message. However, Google still remains a choice for users who prefer it.