Ecosia and Qwant have partnered to develop the European Search Perspective (EUSP), a new search engine index set to launch in France in 2025. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on U.S. tech firms and enhance search results focused on privacy and sustainability, leveraging European technological capabilities in response to rising costs from Microsoft.
Ecosia and Qwant, two competing search engines in Europe, have announced a partnership to create a new search index called the European Search Perspective (EUSP), aiming to reduce reliance on U.S. tech giants. This joint venture will be evenly owned by both companies and is slated for launch in France in 2025, prioritizing improved search results for French and German languages. Currently, these alternative search engines depend on the infrastructure provided by companies like Microsoft, which has raised costs for access to its search technology. Christian Kroll, CEO of Ecosia, noted that the project benefits from the European Union’s new regulations, particularly the Digital Markets Act, which mandates fair access to large tech firms’ platforms. The EUSP’s goal is to construct a “privacy-first” search index using tailored technology from Qwant, while the data and resources will also be available to other independent search engines. This significant move reflects a strategic effort to ensure that European companies maintain control over their technological development in an era of increasing geopolitical instability and economic dependence on the United States.
The partnership between Ecosia and Qwant aims to establish an independent European search index, addressing the current market dominance of Google, which holds over 90% of the global search engine market. The reliance on U.S. technology for search infrastructure has raised concerns in Europe. By building their own search engine infrastructure, they seek to offer an alternative that maintains user privacy and aligns with European values. The move is also influenced by the Digital Markets Act, providing a regulatory environment supportive of fair competition against major tech players.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Ecosia and Qwant represents a pivotal step toward establishing a self-sufficient, privacy-oriented search engine infrastructure in Europe. The formation of the European Search Perspective highlights the desire among European firms to mitigate their reliance on U.S. technology while enhancing user privacy and search quality. This initiative not only addresses current market dynamics but also reflects a broader ambition for technological sovereignty in Europe.
Original Source: www.cnbc.com
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