The European Union on July 23, 2026 slapped Google with two fines worth 890 million euros ($1 billion) in a move that risks raising tensions with the United States. Photo: Nicolas Tucat / AFP / Lehtikuva
The European Commission has fined Google €890 million for breaching the European Union's Digital Markets Act, accusing the company of favouring its own services in search results and restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper alternatives outside Google Play.
The penalties, announced on Thursday, include a €460 million fine over Google's search business and a further €430 million for practices linked to its Android app store.
The Commission said Google breached the Digital Markets Act by giving preferential treatment to its own comparison shopping, hotel, transport and sports services in Google Search instead of applying equal conditions to competing platforms.
It also found that Google prevented app developers from freely informing customers about alternative purchasing options, including offers available through websites or rival app stores, where prices are often lower.
