EU Fines Google €890M Under DMA, Largest Yet

The European Commission fined Google €890 million under the Digital Markets Act for two violations: self-preferencing in Google Search and restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper options outside the Google Play Store. The penalties break down into €460 million for self-preferencing in search results and €430 million for anti-steering restrictions in Play, with Google given 60 days to comply and facing additional daily penalties if it fails. Brussels’ action, part of a broader push to curb Big Tech, underscores Europe’s willingness to enforce DMA rules even amid tensions with the United States and high-profile political rhetoric from Trump regarding tariffs. The case marks the EU’s largest DMA fine to date and adds to a mounting EU antitrust scrutiny of tech giants, reinforcing a trend toward consumer-, competitor-, and developer-protective regulation. Google has argued that the measures would degrade products and strip away popular real-time features, while regulators say the changes aim to level the playing field for third-party services. The penalties signal that compliance may extend to newer areas such as AI-generated search summaries, highlighting the DMA’s evolving reach beyond traditional enforcement actions.