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Google hit with $1 billion fine for breaking EU antitrust rules
The Verge • • business
Key Points:
- The European Union has fined Alphabet €890 million for two violations of the Digital Markets Act: preferential treatment of its own services in search results and blocking Android developers from promoting alternative payment options.
- Google received a €460 million fine for favoring its Shopping, Hotels, and Flights services in Search results, and a €430 million fine for Play Store rules restricting developers from directing users to cheaper payment methods.
- Google has 60 days to comply by treating third-party services fairly in Search and allowing developers to promote offers freely, or face additional penalties.
- The fines follow over two years of investigation and previous attempts by Google to adjust policies, including removing certain widgets and revising Play Store terms, though the company has criticized some changes as degrading user experience.
- The DMA aims to prevent gatekeeper companies like Google from abusing market dominance, with potential fines up to 10% of global revenue, emphasizing fairness and consumer choice in digital markets.
