The European Union plans to impose a fine on Google – owned by Alphabet – of up to high into the hundreds of millions of eurosreports the German “Handelsblatt”, citing sources in the European Commission. The decision is to be finalized and – according to the daily – it will be announced before the summer break of the EU institutions.
If this information is confirmed, that will be it the highest fine ever imposed for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA) — a legal act intended to limit the dominance of the largest technology companies.
Charges: favoring own services
The proceedings against Google were formally initiated in March 2025. The Commission is investigating whether the concern privileges its own services in search resultswhich could violate the principles of fair competition in the digital market.
The purpose of the investigation is to ensure that the most popular internet search engine in the world operates in accordance with EU regulationswhich came into force with the DMA.
- Read also: The European Union imposes a billion-dollar fine on Google. The company announces a cancellation
Commission: legality is more important than punishment
European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier emphasizes that Brussels focuses primarily on achieving regulatory complianceand not on the mere imposition of penalties.
“Even if we are negotiating future solutions, we will not hesitate to move to the next stages as quickly as possible,” he said in the statement.
Google criticizes DMA and talks about “product deterioration”
Google does not hide its skepticism about the effects of the new regulations. The company claims that the changes introduced under DMA significantly reduce the quality of the search engine for European users.
“The changes we have already implemented are the largest deterioration in the quality of the search engine in its history. The result is a second-class product for Europeans, to the benefit of a small group of interested complainants,” said a company spokesman.
At the same time, the company declares its readiness to end the dispute.
- Read also: The American giant has a proposal for the EU. He wants to avoid penalties
The commission gave more time, but patience is running out
At the beginning of May, the European Commission announced that gave Google additional time to clarify concernsafter the company's previous proposals were deemed insufficient.
However, reports from “Handelsblatt” show that the window for compromise may be closingand Brussels is preparing to announce a decision of groundbreaking importance for the entire technology sector.
