The European Union has imposed fines totalling €890 million (about $1 billion) on Google for violating the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), marking the first enforcement action against the technology giant under the landmark legislation aimed at promoting fair competition in digital markets.
The European Commission said Google failed to comply with the DMA by giving preferential treatment to its own services, including shopping, hotel and transport listings, within Google Search while also restricting how app developers communicate alternative offers and payment options to users outside the Google Play Store.
According to Brandspur Brand News, the Commission issued two separate penalties, comprising €460 million for Google’s search-related practices and €430 million for restrictions imposed on app developers through Google Play. Regulators said the penalties reflected the seriousness and duration of the company’s non-compliance, although they acknowledged that Google had begun implementing some changes following discussions with EU authorities.
The Commission directed Google to bring its services into full compliance within 60 days or face additional financial penalties. The regulator also maintained that users should have access to unbiased search results while app developers should be free to promote competing offers through alternative distribution channels without unnecessary restrictions.
Google rejected the decision, arguing that the enforcement measures would reduce the quality of products and services available to European consumers. The company said complying with the DMA would require changes to popular search features and certain protections within the Google Play ecosystem, maintaining that the rules could negatively affect both businesses and users.
The latest action reinforces the European Union’s determination to tighten oversight of major digital platforms through the Digital Markets Act, which came into force to curb anti-competitive practices among designated technology gatekeepers. The ruling is expected to influence how global technology companies operate in Europe while intensifying regulatory scrutiny of digital platforms worldwide.
