The European Commission has imposed a landmark fine of €890 million ($1 billion) on Google (Alphabet) for systematically favoring its own services in search results and restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper offers outside Google Play. The penalty, announced on July 23, 2026, is the largest ever issued under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and marks a significant escalation in Brussels’ campaign against Big Tech antitrust breaches.
The Commission determined that Google violated the DMA’s fair-ranking obligations by promoting its own shopping, travel, and translation results while demoting those of competitors. In addition, the company was found to have prevented Android developers from communicating freely with users about alternative payment options and subscriptions that circumvent the company’s in-app fees.
Key requirements: Google must now treat third‑party services on its search engine “in a fair and non‑discriminatory manner” and remove technical and contractual barriers that stop developers from informing users about offers available outside the Play Store. The company has 60 days to comply; otherwise it faces “periodic penalty payments” of up to 5% of its global daily turnover.
Teresa Ribera, executive vice‑president for the clean and competitive transition, said the decision aims to ensure “the best products succeed because they’re better, not because they’re owned by the company running the search engine.” Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stressed that gatekeeper platforms must keep the playing field level so consumers can find cheaper deals.
Google’s head of global affairs, Kent Walker, countered that the ruling would force the removal of “real‑time Search features Europeans love,” such as instant pricing for hotels and flights, and could undermine safety protections on Google Play. He described the outcome as “product degradation driven by a small group of self‑serving complainants.”
The DMA allows fines of up to 10% of a company’s global turnover; the €890 million penalty represents only 0.22% of Google’s revenue but already dwarfs earlier DMA fines – €200 million for Meta and €500 million for Apple in 2025. Google’s accumulated EU fines now exceed €10 billion since 2017, including a recent €2.95 billion penalty under separate rules.
