GoKawiilRyan Haines / Android Authority
TL;DR The European Commission has fined Google a combined $1 billion over violations related to the Google Play Store and Search.
Google must comply within 60 days or risk shelling out periodic penalty payments of up to 5% of its global revenues.
The Commission said Google can appeal this ruling, while also acknowledging steps the company has taken to mitigate some of these violations.
Update, July 23, 2026 (4:46 PM ET): Google has replied to our inquiry with a little more detail on its response to these DMA fines. When it comes to Search, the company highlights the value its rich results offer users, like direct access to travel booking without tacking on intermediate fees. Efforts it’s taken to comply with EC rules by not offering such results have been associated with significantly decreased booking rates — and a corresponding loss of tourism revenue in impacted nations.
As for the Play Store, Google expresses concerns that EC requirements amount to a loophole around its app review processes, potentially exposing users to increased risk. The company notes that developers rely on the security of the Play Store as much as end users, and Google disagrees with efforts that seem to make the landscape less safe for everyone involved. Original article, July 23, 2026 (12:58 PM ET): Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) came into effect a couple of years ago to curb the dominance of major tech corporations like Google, Amazon, Apple, and Meta. The legislation is designed to ensure a level playing field for all players in the market regardless of their size. It didn’t take long for the European Commission to announce investigations into Google, along with other big tech corporations, for non-compliance. The investigation may now have reached its conclusion, as the regulator has just slapped a massive fine on the search giant.
In a statement today, the European Commission said it was fining Google €890 million (~$1 billion) over two separate violations related to Search (€460 million) and the Play Store (€430 million).
For Google Search, the regulator found that the company gives “preferential treatment” to its own services, including in shopping, hotels, travel, and sports results, over third-party services that offer a similar product.
The Commission also points to Google offering “enhanced visuals and filters” and a prominent spot at the top of the results page for its own services, giving little to no visibility to other providers.
For some background on the Play Store violations, Google is compelled under the DMA to allow app developers to market their products or promotions outside the Play Store, such as in a third-party app store or website. The Commission found that not only does Google restrict app developers from using alternative means to market or sell their products, but the company also makes it financially difficult for developers through exorbitant fees for steering users away from the Play Store.
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