Google Fined Over $1B by EU, Given 60 Days to Comply

The European Commission has fined Google €890 million (~$1.1B USD) for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The company must comply with the Commission's orders within 60 days or risk additional penalties worth up to 5% of its worldwide turnover. Google can appeal the decisions.

The Commission imposed a €460M (~$523M) fine over Google Search. It found that Google gave preferential treatment to its own shopping, transport, hotel, and sports services. These services received higher rankings, and enhanced visuals and filters that competing services did not.

Google also received a €430M (~$489M) fine over Google Play. Regulators noted that the company prevented app developers from directing users to alternative, often cheaper, purchasing options outside the Play Store. They also found that Google's steering-related fees and the length of those charges exceeded what is allowed under the DMA.

EU Orders Changes to Search and Google Play

The Commission has ordered Google to treat third-party services in Search "in a fair and non-discriminatory manner." It also directed the company to let app developers freely communicate, promote offers, and conclude contracts with users both inside and outside Google Play.

Google has already started testing changes.

These include updates to search results for hotels, flights, shopping, and sports content. The company has also proposed changes to AI Mode, AI Overviews, and its Play Store steering terms. The Commission clarified that these measures will continue to be assessed during the compliance process.

Google Can Appeal as DMA Enforcement Continues

In September 2023, Google was classified as a gatekeeper under the DMA. The Commission opened its investigations in March 2024 and issued preliminary findings in March 2025. The final rulings followed market feedback, extensive discussions with Google, and the company's formal defense.

Executive vice president for a Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, stated, "The best products should succeed because they're better, not because they're owned by the company running the search engine." Meanwhile, the executive vice president of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, pointed out that the decisions show the EU's determination to protect business and innovation under the DMA.

The latest ruling follows DMA fines imposed on Apple and Meta in 2025, marking another major enforcement action under the EU's digital competition law.