Google has been fined more than $1 billion by the European Commission after regulators ruled the company violated the European Union’s Digital Markets Act through its Search and Play Store practices.
The Commission imposed two penalties totaling roughly $1.01 billion. Google received a $523 million fine for giving preferential treatment to its own services in Search, and another $489 million for restricting how app developers could direct users to payment options outside the Play Store.
The rulings stem from investigations launched in March 2024 into Google's compliance with the Digital Markets Act, which aims to curb anti-competitive behavior by major technology platforms.
According to the European Commission, Google gave its own shopping, hotel, transport, and sports services more prominent placement in Search results than competing platforms.
Regulators said Google's services benefited from top positioning, enhanced visual displays, and dedicated filters that were not equally available to rivals.
The Commission also found Google violated DMA rules by limiting developers' ability to inform users about alternative payment methods outside Google Play.
Officials said developers were prevented from promoting offers or completing purchases through third-party websites or app stores, and that Google's related fees exceeded what regulators considered acceptable.
As part of the decision, Google has been ordered to stop the practices by giving competing services equal treatment in Search and allowing developers to freely communicate alternative purchasing options.
The Commission noted that Google has already begun testing changes to both Search results and Play Store policies, and said those updates will continue to be reviewed as part of its ongoing compliance process.
Google has 60 days to comply with or appeal the rulings or face additional periodic penalties of up to 5% of its global annual turnover.