The European Commission on Thursday fined Google a total of €890 million ($1.03 billion) for violating the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), concluding that the technology giant unlawfully favored its own services in Google Search and imposed unfair restrictions on app developers using Google Play.

The Commission imposed a €460 million fine over Google's self-preferencing practices in Google Search and a €430 million fine for breaching the DMA's anti-steering rules on Google Play.

The EU regulator also ordered Google to bring the infringements to an end within 60 days, warning that failure to comply could result in periodic penalty payments of up to 5% of the company's total worldwide turnover.

Google Search self-preferencing

The Commission found that Google gave preferential treatment to its own services—including shopping, hotels, transport, and sports results—over competing third-party services in Google Search.

Under the Digital Markets Act, designated "gatekeepers" are prohibited from ranking their own products or services more favorably than those of rivals and must apply transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory ranking conditions.

According to the Commission, Google consistently placed its own services in more prominent positions within search results, including at the top of search pages and through enhanced visual formats and filters, while competing services were not afforded the same visibility.

Google Play restrictions

The Commission also concluded that Google failed to comply with the DMA's anti-steering obligations by restricting app developers from directing users to alternative purchasing channels outside Google Play.

Under the legislation, developers must be free to inform customers about cheaper offers available through their own websites or third-party app stores and allow users to complete purchases through those channels without undue restrictions.

The Commission found that Google prevented developers from freely communicating and promoting alternative offers and from concluding contracts with users through distribution channels of their choice.

It also said the fees Google charged developers for customer acquisitions through Google Play, as well as the duration of those charges, exceeded what is permitted under the Digital Markets Act.

Compliance measures

As part of its decisions, the Commission instructed Google to implement measures ensuring that third-party services receive fair and non-discriminatory treatment in Google Search compared with Google's own services.

Google must also allow app developers distributing applications through Google Play to communicate with users freely, promote offers, and conclude contracts both within and outside the app store.

The Commission noted that Google has proposed and begun testing several changes to its search services, including modifications to the presentation of shopping, hotel, flight, and sports-related results.

It also acknowledged progress in Google's proposed revisions to its steering policies on Google Play and said it would continue monitoring the company's implementation efforts.

The Commission further said it is assessing Google's proposals concerning AI-generated search features, including AI Overviews and AI Mode, as part of its ongoing dialogue with the company.

Investigation and next steps

Google was designated a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act in September 2023.

The Commission opened formal investigations into Google's compliance with the new rules in March 2024 and issued preliminary findings in March 2025 indicating that the company had breached the legislation.

Following an extensive investigation, consultation with market participants, and exchanges with Google, the Commission adopted the final decisions.

It said the fines reflected the gravity and duration of the infringements and were proportionate to the violations.

Google has the right to appeal the Commission's decisions. (ILKHA)