The European Commission has fined Google €890 million for breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA), accusing the tech giant of giving its own services an unfair advantage in search results and restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper offers outside its ecosystem.
The penalty concludes an investigation launched in March 2024. Of the total fine, €460 million relates to Google’s alleged practice of favouring services such as Google Shopping, Google Hotels and Google Flights over rival platforms in search rankings. The remaining €430 million concerns restrictions preventing app developers from informing users about alternative payment methods or offers beyond Google’s app store.
The Commission has ordered Google to comply within 60 days by ending discriminatory practices and allowing developers to communicate freely with customers. Failure to do so could result in additional penalties of up to 5% of the company’s worldwide turnover.
Google defended its practices, arguing they improve the user experience and warning that the Commission’s demands could damage Europe’s digital economy. The company has already begun testing changes but has not confirmed whether it will appeal.
The decision comes at a politically sensitive time, with the Trump administration preparing a fresh round of trade tariffs and continuing to criticise the EU’s regulation of major US technology companies, raising the prospect of renewed transatlantic trade tensions.
via Euronews
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