The EU Imposes €890 Million Fine on Google Over Self-Preferencing, Play Store Practices
In Focus
- The EU fined Google €460 million for self-preferencing its services in Search
- A fine €430 million was imposed for limiting payment options on Play Store
- Google could appeal the decision by EU regulators in court
The European Commission has imposed an €890 million fine on Google for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The latest fine highlights Europe’s commitment to prevent major tech companies from dominating the digital market. The Google DMA fine also defies criticism by the U.S. and threats of retaliatory tariffs by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Why Was Google Fined $1 Billion by the EU?
According to the European Commission, Google violated the DMA by self-preferencing its products, which hurt competitors. The tech giant also blocked developers on Play Store from directing customers to cheaper options outside its app ecosystem.
“The Commission found that Google gives preferential treatment to its own services, including shopping, hotels, transport and sports results, over those of third parties in Google Search, thereby breaching its obligations under the DMA,” the European Commission noted in its statement.
The EU fined Google €460 million for self-preferencing its services in Search. Regulators also imposed an additional €430 million for preventing developers from directing customers to alternative purchase channels on Play Store.
EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen said the purpose of the DMA is to ensure a level playing field for all actors in the digital services industry. She added that the decision to fine Google is aimed at maintaining competition in the market.
When Should Google Comply With the New Decision?
The European Commission ordered Google to allow app developers to direct users to alternative payment options outside its app store. EU regulators also directed Google to treat competitors fairly and without discrimination.
Google is expected to comply with the orders within 60 days. However, the tech giant has criticized the findings by the Commission and could appeal its decision in court.
“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. This isn’t fair competition; it’s product degradation driven by a small group of self-serving complainants, with European businesses and consumers taking the hit. Regulation should improve products, not make them worse,” Google President of Global Affairs Kent Walker said in a statement.
The EU imposed the DMA fine on Google months after lobby groups called on regulators to conclude investigations into the tech company’s self-preferencing practices.
Google Unlikely to Attract More DMA Fines
While announcing Google’s antitrust fine, the Commission noted that it has made significant progress in getting the tech giant to comply with the DMA. EU regulators indicated that following ‘constructive dialogue’, the tech giant will likely not attract daily penalties over non-compliance.
“Google has proposed and started testing changes to how it presents its own services on Google Search for free services such as shopping, hotels and flights. The Commission also notes that Google has proposed and started testing changes to how it presents shopping ads and content related services, such as sports,” the Commission noted.
This is the third time the EU has imposed a fine on a U.S. tech giant after it penalized Apple and Meta in April 2025.
