European Commission fines Google €890 million for violating Digital Markets Act

The European Commission has fined Google a total of €890 million for breaching the requirements of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The decision is not yet final and can be appealed.

The fine consists of two parts: €460 million for giving preferential treatment to Google's own services in Google Search, and €430 million for imposing restrictions that prevent app developers from directing users to alternative, often cheaper, purchasing methods outside Google Play.

According to the Commission, Google gave priority to its own services related to shopping, hotels, transport and sports in search results. They were displayed above competitors' offerings and accompanied by additional visual elements and filters, placing third-party services at a disadvantage.

Furthermore, the Commission found that Google restricted app developers from freely informing users about better offers on their own websites or in alternative app stores. The Commission also considered the fees charged by Google for customer acquisition through Google Play to be excessive and not in line with legal requirements.

The Commission has ordered Google to remedy the violations within 60 days. The company must ensure equal treatment of third-party services in search results and allow developers to freely promote alternative purchase methods and conclude deals with users outside Google Play. Failure to comply may result in additional periodic penalty payments of up to 5% of Google's global annual turnover.

The investigation into Google was initiated in March 2024.