EU plans major antitrust fine for Google under digital rules

BRUSSELS: The European Union is preparing to impose a high triple-digit million euro fine on Alphabet-owned Google in an antitrust case linked to the bloc’s Digital Markets Act, according to a report by Germany’s Handelsblatt newspaper citing European Commission sources.

The decision is close to being finalised and could be announced before the summer break. If confirmed, it would mark the largest penalty issued by the EU for a violation of the Digital Markets Act, the law designed to limit the market power of major technology companies.

The case stems from an investigation formally opened in March 2025 over concerns that Google gives preferential treatment to its own services in search results. The probe is aimed at ensuring that the company’s search engine, the most widely used in the world, complies with European rules.

Commission says compliance remains the priority

European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said in an emailed statement that the bloc’s main focus is to secure compliance rather than levy fines.

He said the Commission was continuing discussions on possible remedies, but signalled that regulators were prepared to escalate the matter if needed.

"Even with our negotiations on future solutions, we will not hesitate to move to the next steps as soon as possible"

Earlier this month, the European Commission said it had granted Google a little more time to address its concerns after an earlier proposal from the company did not fully satisfy regulators.

Google criticises impact of DMA changes

Google has pushed back against the effect of the EU rules on its search business and has said it wants to settle the case. A company spokesperson said the changes already introduced under the Digital Markets Act had significantly harmed the quality of the service for users in Europe.

"The changes we've already made to Search under the DMA represent the biggest downgrade in the product's history, creating a second-rate experience for Europeans to the benefit of a few self-interested complainants"

The company has also said it remains interested in resolving the matter as the Commission reviews whether its search practices meet the bloc’s legal requirements.