Brussels Fines Google €890 Million Under EU Digital Markets Act

Brussels fined Google €890 million under its Big Tech rulebook for favoring its own services in search results and restricting app developers, despite Washington preparing a fresh round of trade tariffs as existing measures near expiration, Luca Bertuzzi reported for Euronews.

Google faces an €890 million fine from the European Commission over alleged violations of the Digital Markets Act. [Photo: Google]

The fine concludes an investigation launched by the European Commission in March 2024 under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), legislation that sets out obligations and prohibitions for major technology companies dominating key digital markets.

The largest portion of the penalty, €460 million, relates to allegations that Google's search engine systematically favored its own services—including Google Shopping, Google Hotels, and Google Flights—while demoting competing services in search rankings.

The concept of self-preferencing first gained prominence in the landmark Google Shopping antitrust case, which was upheld by the European Union's Court of Justice in 2024, more than a decade after the investigation began in 2010.

The DMA later codified the principle to speed up enforcement and reduce the evidentiary burden required under traditional competition law.

The remaining €430 million stems from complaints by app developers alleging that Google prevents them from informing consumers about lower-priced offers available outside its app store or directing users to alternative payment systems.