The European Parliament is set to replace Google with the French search engine Qwant as the default search tool on its computers. According to an internal email, the change will take effect this week on Firefox and Edge browsers, impacting lawmakers and staff. Users will still have the option to manually switch back to Google or other search providers.
This decision aligns with the EU's broader strategy to achieve "digital sovereignty" and reduce its dependence on U.S. technology giants. The move is framed as a commitment to protecting user data, as Qwant is a privacy-focused search engine that avoids tracking users. The switch comes as the European Commission prepares to introduce new proposals aimed at strengthening the bloc's technological independence.