Google has been fined a total of 890 million euros by the European Commission for violating European Union regulations designed to curb the dominance of Big Tech companies. Despite the hefty fines, Google and its parent company Alphabet are not expected to face additional penalties as EU regulators have acknowledged their efforts to adhere to the significant legislation.
The fines highlight Europe’s commitment to preventing Big Tech firms from unfairly competing with rivals, despite facing criticism and threats of retaliatory tariffs from the United States. Google was hit with a fine of 460 million euros under the Digital Markets Act for showing preference to its own services in search results related to shopping, hotels, transport, and sports. Another fine of 430 million euros targeted Google’s restrictions on Google Play, which prevented app developers from directing users to cheaper offers on competing app stores or websites.
EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera emphasized the importance of upholding laws and ensuring fair competition, responding to concerns about U.S. objections. Last year, both Apple and Meta Platforms faced penalties under the DMA for similar violations.
Google, given a 60-day deadline to comply with the commission’s directives to treat competitors fairly and allow app developers to guide users away from its app store, criticized the findings. The company’s president of global affairs, Kent Walker, expressed discontent with the decision, stating that compliance measures would negatively impact user experience by removing features like instant pricing and safety protections on Google Play.
The European crackdown on Big Tech has drawn criticism from the U.S., with President Donald Trump’s administration threatening retaliatory measures. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer voiced concerns about the impact of EU policies on transatlantic trade stability, particularly in light of recent actions favoring European companies like Airbus.
The commission highlighted progress in its discussions with Google regarding compliance with the DMA, signaling that daily penalties for non-compliance are unlikely. Google has made adjustments to how it displays its services on Google Search and Google Play, with the commission acknowledging these changes as steps towards compliance.
Moving forward, the EU watchdog will continue to engage with Google on implementing the decision’s principles, particularly concerning AI-generated summaries. The commission views Google’s modifications to its terms on Google Play as positive steps towards meeting regulatory requirements.
