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European Commission Fines Google €890 Million for Search Self‑Preferencing and App‑Store Restrictions

The decision compels rapid fixes under the EU's Digital Markets Act with extra fines set as the enforcement backstop.

Overview

  • The European Commission imposed an €890 million fine after finding Google gave its own services unfair prominence in Search and limited developers from steering users to cheaper offers in Google Play.
  • Brussels ordered Google to change the challenged practices and gave the company roughly two months to comply or face additional penalties for non‑compliance.
  • Google publicly rejected the ruling, with Kent Walker calling the decision unfair and saying the company may appeal or sue in EU courts.
  • Regulators used powers from the Digital Markets Act, joining earlier DMA fines against Apple and Meta and signaling faster, behavior‑focused enforcement of gatekeeper rules.
  • The ruling affects rival services, app developers and consumers across the EU and could reshape how search visibility and app‑store contracts are set while legal challenges play out.