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**Summary:**

Alphabet (Google’s parent company) saw its stock price decline significantly on Friday due to a combination of factors. These include increased antitrust scrutiny in Europe related to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the potential loss of its default search engine status on Apple’s Safari browser, and ongoing antitrust investigations in the U.S. The European Commission is reviewing Google’s proposed changes to its search results to ensure fair competition, but regulators and competitors are skeptical. These combined pressures are causing investor anxiety about Alphabet’s future and dominance in the search and advertising markets.

**News Article:**

**Alphabet Stock Plummets Amid Antitrust Pressure and Apple Threat**

**MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA –** Shares of Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL), the parent company of Google, took a hit on Friday, closing down nearly 4% as the tech giant faces mounting regulatory challenges in Europe and potential competitive pressure from Apple. The stock closed at $166.64, down 4.06% from its opening price of $173.95.

The dip follows a turbulent June, during which Alphabet’s stock price experienced a significant drop. Investors are increasingly concerned about the company’s long-term growth prospects in the face of growing antitrust scrutiny and evolving market dynamics.

A key factor weighing on the stock is Alphabet’s ongoing battle with European regulators. The European Commission is currently assessing Google’s proposed changes to its search engine results to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Google is accused of favoring its own services, like Google Shopping and Google Flights, in search results, disadvantaging competitors. The company’s proposed solution involves offering equal visibility to third-party vertical search services (VSS) in dedicated boxes. However, regulators and competitors remain unconvinced that these changes are sufficient. A crucial hearing is scheduled for July 8th to evaluate Google’s compliance efforts.

Adding to Alphabet’s woes, Apple has hinted at the possibility of removing Google Search as the default search engine in its Safari browser, potentially replacing it with an AI-powered alternative. This announcement earlier in June triggered a sharp decline in Alphabet’s stock price and reignited concerns about the company’s heavy reliance on search advertising revenue.

Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying its antitrust investigation into Google’s dominance in the advertising market. Court proceedings are expected later this year.

Analysts say that Alphabet faces a period of heightened uncertainty as regulatory risks converge with emerging threats from major tech rivals. While Alphabet remains a strong player in the tech sector, near-term volatility is expected to continue until there’s greater clarity on regulatory outcomes and the competitive landscape. Investors will be closely watching the upcoming EU hearing and any developments related to Apple’s search engine strategy.

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