European Commission fined Google a total of 890 million euros on Thursday for violating European Union regulations aimed at curbing the dominance of major technology companies, the regulatory body announced. Despite the penalties, Google and its parent company Alphabet are expected to avoid further fines as EU regulators acknowledged the progress made by the tech giant in adhering to the significant legislation.
The fines highlighted Europe’s commitment to preventing tech giants from impeding competition, despite facing criticism and potential retaliatory actions from the United States. The European Commission imposed a fine of 460 million euros on Google under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for favoring its own services in various sectors like shopping, hotels, transport, and sports in search results. Another fine of 430 million euros targeted Google’s restrictions on Google Play, which prevented app developers from directing users to cheaper offers on rival platforms.
According to EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera, the objective is to ensure full compliance with laws and uphold respect for regulations. Last year, Apple and Meta Platforms faced penalties under the DMA, emphasizing the EU’s commitment to fostering a fair and competitive market environment, as stated by EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen.
Google has 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. Kent Walker, Google’s president of global affairs, criticized the EU’s findings, mentioning potential legal action against the commission. He highlighted the impact of compliance on user experience, citing the removal of certain features like instant pricing and safety protections on Google services.
The crackdown on major tech companies by Europe has drawn ire from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, which has threatened retaliatory measures, including tariffs, in response to what they perceive as targeting of American companies. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer expressed concerns about the EU actions, suggesting they could jeopardize transatlantic trade stability.
In a letter to Trump, 25 Republicans urged him to intervene, questioning the EU’s designations under the DMA rules and suggesting potential trade actions if dialogue fails to address the issues. The EU commission commended the progress made by Google in complying with the DMA, indicating a positive dialogue and efforts to avoid daily penalties for non-compliance.
The EU watchdog acknowledged Google’s proposed changes in presenting its services on Google Search and Google Play, describing them as steps toward compliance. Talks between the commission and Google are ongoing to address further adjustments, including the application of the decision to AI-generated summaries.
