EU fines Google €890 million over Search and Google Play practices

What did the EU say Google did wrong?

The Commission said Google favored its own services in Search over rival offerings and used Google Play rules that stopped app developers from directing users to alternative, sometimes cheaper, ways to buy outside the Play Store Guardian,EL PAÍS,CNBC.

Why is this case important beyond the fine amount?

It is one of the first major enforcement actions against Google under the Digital Markets Act, the EU’s newer law for large digital platforms, so it signals how Brussels plans to enforce those rules on major tech companies BBC,Hindustan Times,CNBC.

What happens next?

Google has been told to comply within 60 days, and several reports say it could face further penalties if it does not. Google has also publicly disputed the ruling and argued the required changes could affect some features and protections offered to European users ANSA.it,Corriere della Sera,La Repubblica.