EU Orders Google to End Discriminatory Practices Toward Third-Party Services

Beyond the monetary penalty, the European Commission (EC) has ordered Google to treat third-party services without discrimination and allow app developers to communicate freely with users, Luca Bertuzzi reported for Euronews.

Google has 60 days to comply with the European Commission's Digital Markets Act ruling.

Google must comply with the Commission's decision within 60 days or face periodic penalty payments of up to 5% of its worldwide annual turnover.

Google argues that its services are designed to optimize the user experience and that altering its search results or app store policies would negatively affect Europe's digital ecosystem.

"This isn't fair competition; it's product degradation driven by a small group of self-serving complainants, with European businesses and consumers taking the hit. Regulation should improve products, not make them worse," said Google President of Global Affairs Kent Walker.

Google has already begun testing changes to its search service and app store, while the European Commission said it will continue monitoring the company's compliance.