The European Commission has imposed two Digital Markets Act fines on Google worth a combined €890 million ($1.02 billion) for breaching the Digital Markets Act in Search and Google Play.
The penalties include €460 million ($525 million) for favoring its own services in Search and €430 million ($491 million) for restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper offers outside Google Play.
Google says it is making progress with EU regulators, but that constructive dialogue came with a reminder.
TL;DR
- The EU fined Google €460 million ($525 million) for favoring its own services in Search.
- A separate €430 million ($491 million) penalty targets Google Play anti-steering restrictions.
- Google has 60 days to comply and may challenge the findings.
- Regulators say progress makes additional daily fines unlikely.
Google Faces EU Search Fine For Favoring Its Own Services
The European Commission imposed a €460 million ($525 million) fine after finding Google favored its own shopping, hotel, transport, and sports services in search results.
The decision requires Google to treat competing services fairly and without discrimination. It marks Google’s first penalty under the Digital Markets Act, although EU antitrust penalties now total €10.38 billion ($11.85 billion) over two decades.
“Our duty and obligation is to comply with the laws, that our laws are fully respected,” EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said, addressing U.S. criticism of Europe’s enforcement.
Google Play Restrictions Trigger A Second Digital Markets Act Penalty
The Commission issued another €430 million ($491 million) fine over rules that prevented app developers from directing users, free of charge, to cheaper offers on competing app stores or websites.
Google now has 60 days to change its practices. The company criticized the findings and said it may take the Commission to court, arguing that compliance could weaken Search and Google Play protections.
“To comply, we are having to strip away real-time Search features Europeans love, like instant pricing and direct availability for hotels, flights, and restaurants, and dismantle safety protections on Google Play,” said Kent Walker, Google’s President of Global Affairs.
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Constructive EU Talks Could Shield Google From More Fines
Despite the action, more penalties appear unlikely. The Commission said Google has made substantial progress by testing changes to how it displays shopping, hotel, flight, advertising, sports, and other content in Search.
Regulators also gave a positive assessment of Google’s proposed changes to Play Store steering terms. The Commission will evaluate those measures against its cease-and-desist orders.
The compliance principles may apply to Google’s AI-generated summaries, including AI Overviews and AI Mode. Talks on those services will continue, extending the DMA’s reach from traditional Search rankings into Google’s expanding AI experiences.
For now, the fines deliver a message: constructive talks may prevent further punishment, but they do not erase violations already identified under Europe’s landmark Big Tech law.
