Full Breakdown
Google Secures EU Approval for $32 Billion Wiz Acquisition
2/12/2026, 12:46:18 PM
Major Regulatory Hurdle Cleared
The European Commission has granted unconditional approval for Google’s $32 billion acquisition of Israeli cybersecurity firm Wiz, marking the largest acquisition in Google's history. This decision, announced on February 10, 2026, follows a thorough review that concluded the deal would not raise competition concerns within the European Economic Area (EEA). The approval allows Google to proceed with integrating Wiz into its cloud services, enhancing its cybersecurity capabilities in a market where it currently trails behind competitors Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.
Background on Wiz and Its Founders
Wiz was founded in 2020 by Assaf Rappaport, Ami Luttwak, Yinon Costica, and Roy Reznik, all of whom have backgrounds in Israel's elite military intelligence unit 8200. The company quickly established itself as a leader in cloud security, providing a platform that secures applications across multiple cloud environments. The founders, who collectively own nearly a third of Wiz, are set to receive substantial financial benefits from the acquisition, with each expected to earn between $2 billion and $2.5 billion before taxes.
Economic Impact and Tax Revenue
The acquisition is anticipated to inject approximately NIS 10 billion ($3.2 billion) into Israel's economy through tax revenues, primarily benefiting the Israeli founders and employees. This financial influx underscores the significance of the deal not only for Google but also for the Israeli tech ecosystem, which has seen rapid growth in recent years.
Official Statements and Responses
EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera emphasized that the acquisition would not significantly distort competition, stating, “Google stands behind Amazon and Microsoft in terms of market shares in cloud infrastructure, and our assessment confirmed that customers will continue to have credible alternatives and the ability to switch providers.” Google has framed the acquisition as a strategic move to bolster its security offerings amid increasing cyber threats.
Criticism and Concerns
Despite the approval, the deal has faced criticism from various advocacy groups, including Rebalance Now and the Open Markets Institute. These organizations have raised concerns about the potential erosion of Wiz's neutrality under Google’s ownership. Critics argue that even subtle shifts in Wiz’s engineering priorities could lead to a "soft degradation" of its services for non-Google cloud platforms, potentially steering customers toward Google Cloud.
Conflicting Reports and Future Considerations
While both the U.S. Department of Justice and the European Commission have cleared the acquisition, regulatory approvals are still pending in Australia, South Africa, Turkey, and Israel. The final closure of the transaction is expected later this year, although the approval processes in these jurisdictions are not anticipated to pose significant hurdles.
Conclusion
Google's acquisition of Wiz represents a pivotal moment in the tech giant's efforts to enhance its position in the cybersecurity and cloud computing sectors. As the integration progresses, the implications for Wiz's independence and the broader competitive landscape will be closely monitored by industry stakeholders and regulators alike.
