EU fines Google €890 million for breaking digital market rules.
BY Mahnoor | 24-07-2026
Alphabet’s Google got a fine of 890 million euros ($1 billion) on Thursday for breaking European Union rules meant to limit Big Tech’s power, the European Commission said.
But the US tech company probably won’t get more fines because EU officials praised its good progress in following the important law.
The penalties showed Europe is serious about stopping Big Tech from blocking competitors, even when the US criticizes or threatens tariffs.
The European Commission fined Google €460 million under the Digital Markets Act for giving preference to its own services in shopping, hotels, transport, and sports search results.
Another fine of €430 million was for Google’s limits on its app store Google Play. These limits stopped app developers from telling users about cheaper offers on other app stores or websites for free. Reuters first reported both fines.
These are the first fines for the US tech company under the DMA, but the fifth and sixth overall for breaking competition rules. The total penalties now add up to €10.38 billion over nearly 20 years.
“Our duty is to follow the laws so they are fully respected,” EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera told reporters when asked about US pushback.
“The DMA is to ensure a fair and equal playing field. These decisions aim to guarantee competition,” EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen told reporters.
Google has 60 days to follow the EU’s orders to treat competitors fairly and let app developers guide users away from its app store. Google criticized the EU’s findings and said it might sue.
Kent Walker, Google’s President of Global Affairs, said, ‘To comply, we must remove real-time search features Europeans like, such as instant prices and direct availability for hotels, flights, and restaurants, and reduce safety protections on Google Play.’
“This isn’t fair competition; it’s making products worse because a small group of selfish complainers pushed for it, while European companies and customers suffer. Rules should make products better, not worse,” he said.
More fines are unlikely because of helpful talks
The Commission, which makes sure companies in the EU compete fairly, said it had a “useful conversation” with Google and that Google made a lot of progress to follow the new tech rules. This means Google probably will not have to pay a fine every day.
The Commission said, “Google has suggested and started testing changes in how it shows its own services, like shopping, hotels, and flights, on Google Search for free.” It called this big progress.
The Commission also said Google has suggested and started testing changes to how it shows shopping ads and content services like sports. It will check these changes and keep talking to Google.
The EU watchdog also said Google can use the rules from Thursday’s decision for its AI summaries called AI Overviews and AI Mode, and talks will continue for this.
Google changed its rules on Google Play. The Commission said this is a good step towards following the rules.
This will also be checked with the order to stop the bad practice.
Europe’s actions against big tech have made US President Donald Trump angry. He threatened to put taxes on European goods as payback, saying these actions target US companies. US lawmakers have also added pressure.
These fines are the third under the DMA, after fines on Apple and Meta Platforms in April last year.
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