The European Commission has imposed €890 million in fines on Google for breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA), marking one of the bloc’s most significant enforcement actions against a major technology company under the new legislation.
The penalties relate to two separate violations involving Google’s search engine and its Google Play Store practices. The Commission fined Google €460 million for favoring its own services in search results and €430 million for restricting app developers from directing users to alternative purchasing channels.
European Commission Finds Google Favored Its Own Services
According to the Commission, Google breached the DMA by giving preferential treatment to its own services—including shopping, hotels, transport, and sports results—within Google Search.
The regulator said Google’s services were consistently displayed more prominently than competing third-party platforms through higher rankings, enhanced visual features, and dedicated search filters.
Under the Digital Markets Act, designated “gatekeepers” must rank their own services and those of competitors using transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory criteria.
Google Play Restrictions Violated DMA Rules
The Commission also found that Google failed to comply with the DMA’s anti-steering provisions for Google Play.
The investigation concluded that app developers were prevented from freely informing customers about alternative purchasing options outside Google Play, including their own websites or third-party app stores where products and subscriptions may be offered at lower prices.
While the Commission acknowledged that Google can charge fees for acquiring new customers through Google Play, it determined that the company’s steering-related fees and the duration of those charges exceeded what is permitted under the Digital Markets Act.
Google Ordered to Comply Within 60 Days
As part of its decision, the European Commission has instructed Google to end the identified non-compliance within 60 days.
The company must:
Treat Third-Party Search Services Fairly
Google has been directed to ensure that competing services appearing in Google Search receive fair and non-discriminatory treatment compared to Google’s own products.
Remove Restrictions on App Developers
The Commission also ordered Google to allow developers distributing apps through Google Play to freely communicate with users, promote alternative offers, and conclude transactions both inside and outside the Play Store without unnecessary contractual or technical restrictions.
Commission Notes Progress Toward Compliance
The European Commission acknowledged that Google has already begun testing several changes aimed at improving compliance.
These include adjustments to how Google displays its shopping, hotel, and flight services in search results, as well as updates affecting shopping advertisements, sports-related content, and other search features.
The Commission also confirmed that discussions are continuing regarding Google’s proposals for AI Overviews and AI Mode, alongside recent changes to Google Play’s steering policies.
Officials said these measures represent meaningful progress but will continue to be assessed in light of the Commission’s formal decisions.
Google May Appeal the Decision
Google has the right to appeal the Commission’s rulings.
If the company fails to comply within the 60-day deadline, it could face periodic penalty payments of up to 5 percent of its total worldwide annual turnover.
The case follows Google’s designation as a DMA gatekeeper in September 2023. The European Commission launched formal investigations in March 2024, issued preliminary findings in March 2025, and adopted the final decisions after extensive consultations, market feedback, and dialogue with the company.