The European Union fined Google 890 million euros, roughly $1 billion, on Thursday for using Google Play and its search engine to steer users toward its own services and apps at the expense of competitors. The penalty is the latest in Brussels' ongoing crackdown on major technology companies.
The fine is the largest issued against a single company under the Digital Markets Act, or DMA, a law that took effect in 2024 and aims to limit what the EU views as Big Tech's anticompetitive behavior. Previous DMA fines included 200 million euros against Meta and 500 million euros against Apple, both issued in 2025, according to Al Jazeera.
European Commission executive vice president Teresa Ribera framed the decision in terms of consumer rights. "The best products should succeed because they're better, not because they're owned by the company running the search engine. And European consumers have a right to be told by app developers where to sign up to the best offers, even when the app store owner does not get a cut," she said.
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier added: "In the EU, businesses have the right to compete fairly. Gatekeepers have the obligation to ensure a level playing field and consumers the right to choose for cheaper alternative offers."
The fine amounts to 0.22 percent of Google's global turnover, according to a second EU official. Google could face additional penalties if it does not comply within 60 days. The commission said it would impose periodic penalty payments if the company fails to meet that deadline.
Google's head of global affairs, Kent Walker, said the company was being forced to strip away features that European users rely on. The fines had been anticipated for months following a probe that began in 2024, though Brussels faced criticism for delays amid concerns about straining ties with Washington.
Google also recently lost its appeal against a separate $4.5 billion antitrust fine that had been imposed over the dominance of its Android mobile operating system.
