EU Prepares Record Digital Markets Act Fine Against Google

The European Commission is preparing to impose a fine in the high triple-digit million euro range on Google for breaching the Digital Markets Act, which would be the largest penalty ever issued under the regulation. The case stems from an investigation launched in March 2025 into Google's practice of illegally favoring its own services — including shopping, travel, and local search — within its search results. The Commission granted Google additional time to address concerns after an initial compliance proposal was deemed insufficient. Spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated that the agency prioritizes securing compliance over maximizing financial penalties, though the Commission retains authority to fine designated gatekeepers up to 10% of global annual revenue. A final decision is expected before the Commission's August recess. Google LLC has pushed back hard against the DMA requirements, claiming the mandated changes represent the biggest downgrade in the product's history and create a second-rate experience for European users. The search case is not the only regulatory pressure Google faces under the DMA; separate proceedings regarding Google Gemini's access to Android and the demotion of news publishers remain open. The impending fine marks the most significant enforcement action under the DMA since the legislation took effect, signaling the Commission's willingness to penalize non-compliance by major technology platforms.