EU Imposes €890 Million Fine on Google for DMA Breaches in Search and Google Play

The European Commission has imposed total fines of €890 million on Google for two alleged breaches of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The decisions concern Google’s treatment of competing services in Google Search and restrictions imposed on app developers through Google Play.

The first decision carries a fine of €460 million. According to the Commission, Google systematically favored its own vertical services, including shopping, hotel, transport, and sports products, in Google Search. Google’s services allegedly received more prominent placement and richer display features than competing providers, limiting competitors’ visibility in search results.

The second decision imposes a €430 million fine in relation to Google Play’s anti-steering practices. The Commission found that Google restricted developers from informing users about alternative purchasing routes outside the Play Store, including potentially lower-priced offers. It also objected to steering fees that, according to the Commission, remained excessive for an extended period.

Google has reportedly been given 60 days to implement effective remedies. These include applying non-discriminatory treatment in Search rankings and allowing developers to direct users to alternative purchase channels without undue contractual restrictions. Continued non-compliance may expose Google to periodic penalty payments of up to 5% of its average daily worldwide turnover.

The decisions illustrate the DMA’s practical application to core platform conduct. They also raise important questions about how Google will implement compliance measures across Search, Google Play, and emerging search features, including AI-generated search interfaces. The outcome will be closely monitored by gatekeepers, business users, and national competition and digital regulators.