The European Commission has imposed a historic fine totaling €890 million on Google, citing competition-rule violations in Google Search and the Play Store. A €460 million fine was levied for giving Google’s own services preferential placement in search results, with a second €430 million fine for blocking developers who use the Play Store from directing customers to alternative digital storefronts.
This marks the largest penalty issued to date under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, a decision that risks fueling fresh geopolitical tension between Brussels and Washington under Donald Trump.
A double hit on Search and Play Store
Following an investigation launched in 2024, the Commission found that the American tech giant gave preferential treatment to its own price-comparison services at the expense of competitors. It also found the company restricted app developers on the Play Store from promoting alternative digital marketplaces. EU Commissioner Henna Virkkunen called it a pivotal decision aimed at guaranteeing a level playing field online, while Competition Commissioner Teresa Ribera said regulators have a duty to ensure that laws adopted by sovereign institutions are enforced and fully respected. Google now has 60 days to accept the ruling and comply, or face additional daily fines.
“They’re forcing us to downgrade our products”
Google pushed back hard, disputing the investigation’s findings and arguing that its enriched search results serve users. Kent Walker, the company’s president of global affairs, warned that compliance will mean stripping out popular features, including real-time display of hotel, flight, and restaurant prices and availability, along with certain Play Store safeguards. He characterized the move as product downgrading forced by a small group acting in its own interest rather than genuine competition.
Brussels-Washington relations under strain
The ruling is expected to escalate tension with the US. President Trump has repeatedly argued that the DMA unfairly targets American tech giants, and 25 Republican lawmakers have already sent Trump a letter urging immediate retaliatory measures against the EU if it keeps pursuing restrictive digital-sector policies.
Part of a pattern in Europe
This fine adds to a string of setbacks for Google in Europe. Last week the Commission ordered Google to open the Android operating system to AI services competing with its own Gemini and to share Search-derived data with rivals. In September, the Commission fined the company €2.95 billion for abusing its dominant position in online advertising. The Commission has also been investigating, since December, how Google Search treats news sites.
